1. Lemon butterfly:
Papilio demoleus L.
Family: Papilionidae
Damaging stage: Larvae
Nature of damage: Feeds on leaves, reducing plant vigour
Oviposition site: Underside of leaves
Pupation site: Suspended from a silken pad on the host plant
Management: Use of botanical insecticides like neem oil, Bacillus thuringiensis, or cultural practices like removal of infested leaves or spraying with insecticidal soap.
2. Whitefly:
Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)
Family: Aleyrodidae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeds on sap, causing yellowing of leaves, transmission of viruses
Oviposition site: On the underside of leaves
Pupation site: On the leaf surface or on the nearby plant parts
Management: Use of yellow sticky traps, biological control with predators like Encarsia formosa, chemical control with insecticides like pyrethroids, systemic insecticides.
3. Blackfly:
Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby
Family: Aleyrodidae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeds on sap, causing yellowing of leaves, transmission of viruses
Oviposition site: On the underside of leaves
Pupation site: On the leaf surface or on the nearby plant parts
Management: Use of yellow sticky traps, biological control with predators like Encarsia formosa, chemical control with insecticides like pyrethroids, systemic insecticides.
4. Leaf miner:
Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton
Family: Gracillariidae
Damaging stage: Larvae
Nature of damage: Tunnels inside the leaf, causing irregular blisters
Oviposition site: On the underside of leaves
Pupation site: Inside the tunnel or on the nearby plant parts
Management: Pruning infested leaves, application of insecticides like Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad.
5. Fruit sucking moth:
Eudocima fullonica C, E. materna L., Achoea janata L.
Family: Noctuidae
Damaging stage: Larvae
Nature of damage: Feeds on fruit, causing damage to fruit quality
Oviposition site: On fruit or leaves
Pupation site: In soil or plant debris
Management: Trapping adults with pheromone traps, application of insecticides like spinosad, Bacillus thuringiensis, or neem oil.
6. Citrus psylla:
Diaphorina citri Kuwayama
Family: Psyllidae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeds on sap, causing leaf curling, discoloration, transmission of citrus greening disease
Oviposition site: On young leaves
Pupation site: On the leaf surface or on the nearby plant parts
Management: Use of yellow sticky traps, biological control with predators like Tamarixia radiata, chemical control with insecticides like neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides.
7. Citrus aphids:
Toxoptera citricidus Kirkaldy
Family: Aphididae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeds on sap, causing curling and yellowing of leaves, transmission of viruses
Oviposition site: On young leaves
Pupation site: None
Management: Use of yellow sticky traps, biological control with predators like Aphidius colemani, chemical control with insecticides like neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides
8. Mealybug:
Planococcus citri (Risso)
Family: Pseudococcidae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeds on sap, causing yellowing and distortion of leaves, excretion of honeydew, transmission of viruses
Oviposition site: On leaves, stem, or fruit
Pupation site: On plant parts or on the soil surface
Management: Use of yellow sticky traps, biological control with predators like Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, chemical control with insecticides like neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides.
9. Citrus thrips:
Scirtothrips citri (Moulton)
Family: Thripidae
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeds on young leaves, buds, and fruit, causing scarring, deformation, and premature fruit drop
Oviposition site: On leaves or flower buds, Pupation site: In soil or plant debris
Management: Use of yellow sticky traps, biological control with predators like Orius spp., chemical control with insecticides like neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides.
10. Scale insects:
Diaspididae and Coccidae family
Damaging stage: Nymphs and adults
Nature of damage: Feeds on sap, causing yellowing and distortion of leaves, excretion of honeydew, transmission of viruses
Oviposition site: On leaves, stem, or fruit
Pupation site: On plant parts or on the soil surface
Management: Use of yellow sticky traps, biological control with predators like Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, chemical control with insecticides like neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides.
In addition to chemical control, cultural practices like pruning and sanitation are also important for managing these pests. Regular inspection of trees and removal of infested plant parts can also help prevent the spread of pests. It is important to follow label instructions and use integrated pest management strategies to minimize the impact of pesticides on the environment and non-target organisms.
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