The Parasitoid Complex of the Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey and Their Role in Biological Control

Authors : Naime Zülal ELEKÇİOĞLU, Nedim UYGUN

Pages : 155-160

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Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :A survey of parasitoids of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae);, was carried out in the citrus orchards in the east Mediterranean region of Turkey during 1995-2001. Their relative abundance and rate of parasitism were also determined. Ten species of parasitoids were identified: Cirrospilus sp. nr. lyncus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Walker);, C. pictus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Nees);, C. variegatus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Masi);, C. vittatus Walker, C. ingenuus Gahan, Ratzeburgiola incompleta insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Boucek);, Diglyphus isaea insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Walker);, Semielacher petiolatus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Girault);, Citrostichus phyllocnistoides insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Narayanan);, Neochrysocharis formosa insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Westwood); insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Hymenoptera: Eulophidae);. Neochrysocharis sp., Chrysocharis sp., Barycapus sp., Pnigalio sp. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); and the Pteromalus sp. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Hym.: Pteromalidae); were also identified. Among these species, R. incompleta in 1995-1996 and C. sp. nr. lyncus in 1997 were the most dominant of all encountered species. In 1998, a new parasitoid species, C. phyllocnistoides, expanded to all citrus growing orchards in the region, becoming the most abundant parasitoid species between 1998 and 2001. The parasitization rate was very low during the main peak of the pest in early summer, but increased considerably later in the season. It is determined that these parasitoids play a significant role in reducing the P. citrella population during the late summer and autumn flushes.
Keywords : Phyllocnistis citrella, citrus leafminer, biological control, parasitoid, relative abundance