Control methods against Phyllocnistis citrella
In Spain, a congress on the citrus leaf miner (Phyllocnistis citrella - potential EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been held in Murcia, 1995-03-30/31, and papers concerning possible means of control were presented. In order to establish effective strategies of control, it is important to define which flushes should be protected. Strategies will depend also on the type of crop (young or established plantations) and the intensity of pest attack. Generally, orchards will need protection during spring and autumn flushes, and in some cases during summer. Several specific products can be used: abamectin, diflubenzuron, flufenoxuron and hexaflumuron. Other products like: butocarboxim, carbosulfan, fenitrothion, hexythiazox, lufenuron and pirimifos-methyl can also be used. The same compound should not always be used, to avoid resistance. Cultural methods aiming at a better regulation of the growth of the trees should be applied (e.g. better timing of pruning and harvest, control of unwanted sprouts, use of growth regulators etc.) but are rather difficult to implement. Concerning biological control, some natural enemies have been observed in Spanish orchards. For example, in Murcia, a parasitoid (Pnigalio sp.) is able to cause 15-25 % mortality of the pest. Near Málaga, the four following hymnopterous parasitoids have been observed: Cirrospilus vittatus, Cirrospilus pictus, Sympiesis saudanis and Pnigalio sp, and a maximum level of 20 % parasitisim has been observed.
Sources
Garcia Garcia, E. (1995) [Methodology of control against the citrus leaf miner Phyllocnistis citrella, Stainton].
Phytoma-España, n° 68, 13-14.
Lucas Espadas, A. (1995) [The citrus leaf miner Phyllocnistis citrella, Stainton - Strategies for an effective control].
Phytoma-España, n° 68, 16-18.