Phyllocnistis citrella

Phyllocnistis citrella


Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Gracillariidae
Genus:	Phyllocnistis
Species:	P. citrella
Binomial name
*Phyllocnistis citrella* Stainton, 1856

The citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella) is a moth of the Gracillariidae family. It is also known as CLM in agriculture. It was first found in Florida in 1993,^[1] but is now found all over the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Corsica, Costa Rica, Cuba, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, and other parts of the United States.

The wingspan is about 5 mm.

The larvae are considered a serious agricultural pest on Citrus species, such as Aegle marmelos, Atalantia, Citrofortunella microcarpa, Citrus limon, Citrus paradisi, Citrus maxima, Fortunella margarita, Murraya paniculata and Poncirus trifoliate. Larvae have also been recorded on Garcinia mangostana, Pongamia pinnata, Alseodaphne semecarpifolia, Loranthus and Jasminum sambac. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine consists of a long epidermal corridor with a well-marked central frass line. The mine is mostly lower-surface, but sometimes upper-surface, and rarely on the rind of the developing fruit. Citrus leaf miner larvae are thus protected from many topic insecticide treatments. Pupation takes place in a chamber at the end of the corridor, under an overturned part of the leaf margin.

Citrus leafminer distribution

Citrus leafminer (CLM) are native to Asia and are found throughout the continent and beyond. Japan, the Philippines, New Guinea, India and Taiwan are some of the countries in which the pest is distributed. The pest is not exclusively found in these countries having spread to nearly every citrus growing area in the world. Recent spread into North and South America was reported in the early 1990s. This is especially important because major citrus growing operations are found in Brazil and the US. These two countries account for half of the worlds citrus production.

CLM management

Insecticides

Insecticide applications is among the most effective methods available for managing CLM. Yet because of the CLM's ability to "mine" leaves insecticides are not entirely effective when dealing with CLM infestations. Cultural control, such as basic citrus tree upkeep and management, are essential to keeping mature citrus trees healthy and capable at combating CLM infestations.^[2] A number of insecticides are used to manage CLM, concerns linger over the type and amount to apply to CLM orchards and nurseries. Some concerns include: wide-spectrum insecticides targeting more than just CLM, killing more than a single insect species this can have adverse effects on beneficial insects that prey on CLM and even beneficial pollinators like bees; insecticide resistance has been reported in certain citrus growing areas; use near residential areas. Insecticides used to manage this pest include but not limited to the following:

Active Ingredient	Trade Names
Abamectin	Agri-Mek 0.15 EC
Acetamiprid	Assail 70 WP
Diflubenzuron	Micromite 80WGS
Thiamethoxam	Platinum 75 SG
Spinosad	SpinTor 2SC
Spinetoram	Delegate WG
Methoxyfenozide	Intrepid 2F
Imidacloprid	Admire Pro, 2F

Monitoring and mass trapping

Traps specifically designed to lure CLM are also deployed as a mechanism to both monitor and reduce CLM populations. Although during high infestation situations traps alone are not recommended without additional measures. They are however a good indicator of CLM population levels which can help in developing effective management plans.

Adult citrus leafminers' mating communication is mediated by sex pheromones emitted by the adult females. A new lure that is environmentally friendly, species specific and emits the naturally occurring citrus leafminer pheromone has been developed targeting the management of this pest.^[3] The lure attracts adult male citrus leafminers to an insect pheromone trap over a period of 4 to 8 weeks, allowing users to monitor for its presence, determine the relative population density in the field, or use it to actually control populations by mass trapping the males. Although during high infestation situations traps alone are not recommended without additional measures.

Mating disruption

The CLM sex pheromone can also be used in the field, without a trap, as mating disruptant to control and manage the pest. The mating disruption strategy is an environmentally friendly tactic that causes males not to find mates, reducing encounters between male and female CLM which leads to unfertilized female CLM eggs. The formulation SPLAT CLM,^[4] which combines nature-identical pheromone with SPLAT, has been registered with the US EPA to control the citrus leafminer. Unlike wide spectrum insecticides which may impact beneficial insects (such as bees) or may cause insecticide resistance build-up, these pheromone based strategies do not cause the development of resistance and reduce the use of conventional pesticides, thus avoiding pollution.

Attracticides

Advances in attractant formulations includes addition of an insecticide ingredient along with pheromone ingredients in order to attract CLM and kill the pest when it contacts the point source.^[5]