Citrus leaf miner biology, nature of damage and symptoms Citrus leaf miner

S.N: Phyllocnistis citrella (Gracillaridae: Lepidoptera)

• Serious and regular pests
• Infestation severe at new flush period

Appearance:

• Moth small with black spot at the tip of FW
• Larva apodous

Biology:

• Minute spherical eggs are laid along the midrib
• IP- 2-3 days; LP- 10-15 days; PP- 6-8 days
• Pupation in the mine

Nature of damage:

• Larvae mine into the tender leaves in zig-zag manner and scrape chlorophyll

Damage symptoms:

• Distortion of leaf lamina and retardation of growth
• Affected leaves dry and wither off

Control measure

• Methyl parathion @ 1ml/lt OR Monocrotophos @1.0 ml/lt OR Fenthoate @2 ml/lt spray any one of the above insecticides  periodically at new flush

 

Source: POP,UAS,Dharwad