Resistance of citrus genotypes to Phyllocnitis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

The development and reproduction of the citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, were evaluated in six citrus genotypes in order to identify genotypes with resistance traits that could be applied in a program for the development of citrus varieties resistant to the citrus leafminer. Tests were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions (25 ± 1ºC, 70 ± 10 percent RH, and 14h photophase). Seedlings of each genotype tested were infested with eggs obtained from a stock colony of CLM maintained on 'Cravo' lemon (Citrus limonia L. Osbeck), and the duration and survival of the eggs, larval and pupal stages, pupal size and weight, fecundity and longevity of adults, and sex ratio were evaluated. No influence was observed on the duration and survival of eggs, larvae and pupae of P. citrella. However, pupae obtained in the hybrid C x R4 were significantly smaller and lighter than pupae from the remaining treatments. Adult females from the hybrids C x R4 and C x R315 were the least fecund. However, the lowest value for the corrected reproductive potential (CRP) was recorded in the hybrid C x R315, suggesting that this genotype is the least favorable for the development and reproduction of CLM. On the other hand, the highest CRP value obtained in the 'Rugoso' lemon confirms the susceptibility of this genotype, indicating it as the most suitable for CLM.

Spatial distribution of parasitism on Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, 1856 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in citrus orchards / Distribuição espacial do parasitismo Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, 1856 (Lepidoptera: Gracillaridae) em pomares de citros

Many species of microhymenopterous parasitoids have been registered on Phyllocnistis citrella, the citrus leafminer. The present study aimed to identify the spatial distribution pattern of the native and introduced parasitoids of P. citrella in two citrus orchards in Montenegro, RS. The new shoots from 24 randomly selected trees in each orchard were inspected at the bottom (0-1.5 m) and top (1.5-2.5 m) stratum and had their position relative to the quadrants (North, South, East and West) registered at every 15 days from July/2002 to June/2003. The leaves with pupae were collected and kept isolated until the emergence of parasitoids or of the leaf miner; so, the sampling was biased towards parasitoids that emerge in the host pupal phase. The horizontal spatial distribution was evaluated testing the fitness of data to the Poisson and negative binomial distributions. In Montenegrina, there was no significant difference in the number of parasitoids and in the mean number of pupae found in the top and bottom strata (χ2 = 0.66; df = 1; P > 0.05) (χ2 = 0.27; df =1; P > 0.05), respectively. In relation to the quadrants, the highest average numbers of the leafminer pupae and of parasitoids were registered at the East quadrant (χ2 = 11.81; df = 3; P < 0.05), (χ2 = 10.36; df = 3; P < 0.05). In the Murcott orchard, a higher number of parasitoids was found at the top stratum (63.5 percent) (χ2 = 7.24; df =1 P < 0.05), the same occurring with the average number of P. citrella pupae (62.9 percent) (χ2 = 6.66; df = 1; P < 0.05). The highest number of parasitoids and of miners was registered at the North quadrant (χ2 = 19. 29; df = 3; P < 0.05), (χ2 = 4.39; df = 3; P < 0.05). In both orchards, there was no difference between the numbers of shoots either relative to the strata as well as to the quadrants. As the number of shoots did not varied much relative to the quadrants, it is possible that the higher number...

Vários microimenópteros parasitóides têm sido registrados em populações de Phyllocnistis citrella (minador-dos-citros). Este estudo objetivou identificar o padrão de distribuição espacial de parasitóides nativos de P. citrella e do introduzido Ageniaspis citricola em dois pomares de citros em Montenegro, RS. Em amostragens quinzenais de julho de 2002 a junho de 2003, todos os brotos de 24 plantas sorteadas aleatoriamente em cada pomar foram inspecionados no estrato inferior (0-1,5 m) e superior (1,5-2,5 m) e registrada a localização destes em relação aos quadrantes (Norte, Sul, Leste e Oeste). As folhas com pupas foram coletadas e individualizadas até a emergência dos parasitóides ou do minador, assim, a amostragem foi focada em parasitóides que emergem na fase pupal do hospedeiro. A distribuição espacial horizontal foi avaliada testando-se os ajustes dos dados à distribuição Poisson e binomial negativa. Em Montenegrina não houve diferença significativa no número de parasitóides e no número médio de pupas encontrados no estrato superior e inferior, (χ2 = 0,66; gl = 1; P > 0,05) e (χ2 = 0,27; gl = 1; P > 0,05), respectivamente. Em relação aos quadrantes, o maior número médio de pupas do minador e de parasitóides encontra-se no quadrante Leste (χ2 = 11,81; gl = 3; P < 0,05), (χ2 =10,36; gl = 3; P < 0,05). No pomar de Murcott, um maior número de parasitóides foi constatado no estrato superior (63,5 por cento) (χ2 = 7,24; gl = 1 P < 0,05), o mesmo ocorrendo com o número médio de pupas de P. citrella (62,9 por cento) (χ2 = 6,66; gl =1; P < 0,05). O maior número de parasitóides e de minadores foi registrado no quadrante Norte (χ2 = 19,29; gl = 3; P < 0,05), (χ2 = 4,39; gl = 3; P < 0,05). Em ambos os pomares, não houve diferença entre o número de brotos nos dois estratos ou entre os quadrantes. Como o número de brotos não variou muito em relação aos diferentes quadrantes, é possível que a presença maior...

Aspectos biológicos de Cirrospilus neotropicus Diez & Fidalgo (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), parasitóide de Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) / Biological aspects of Cirrospilus neotropicus Diez & Fidalgo (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), parasitoid of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

A biologia de Cirrospilus neotropicus Diez & Fidalgo, tendo como hospedeiro lagartas de terceiro ínstar de Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton criadas em folhas de limoeiro æCravoÆ (Citrus limonia Osbeck), foi avaliada em estufa climatizada (25 ± 1ºC; fotofase de 12h), registrando-se a duração e a sobrevivência das fases imaturas, a longevidade, a razão sexual, as taxas de oviposição e a atividade de predação. Dois grupos de fêmeas foram acompanhados, um proveniente de câmaras pupais de P. citrella coletadas em pomares de citros, e, outro de uma criação de laboratório. As fêmeas foram mantidas em caixas gerbox, recebendo, a cada 48h, 12 lagartas de P. citrella, mel e pólen. A duração média do período de ovo a adulto para os indivíduos gerados por fêmeas de campo e de laboratório foi, respectivamente, de 11,8 e 11,6 dias para fêmeas e 11,6 e 10,9 dias para machos. A menor sobrevivência foi registrada para a fase larval na prole de ambos os grupos de fêmeas, 57,3 por cento - campo e 57,4 por cento - laboratório. A longevidade média de fêmeas do campo acasaladas (21,8 dias) foi significativamente superior a das de laboratório acasaladas (16,8 dias). A taxa média de oviposição para as fêmeas de campo (2,8 ovos/dia) foi significativamente superior às das de laboratório (1,6 ovos/dia). O mesmo foi observado para o número médio diário de picadas alimentícias (1,7 lagarta/dia para fêmeas de campo e 0,87 lagarta/dia para as de laboratório). Os dados indicam que C. neotropicus tem potencial como agente de controle biológico de P. citrella.

The biology of Cirrospilus neotropicus Diez & Fidalgo reared on third instar Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton larvae having Citrus limonia Osbeck as host plant, was evaluated under controlled conditions (25 ± 1ºC; 12h photophase). The survival, immatures development, longevity, sex ratio, host feeding and oviposition ratio of C. neotropicus, were registered. Two groups of parasitoid females were evaluated: one, with parasitoids obtained from P. citrella pupae collected in citrus orchards and the other group came from laboratory rearing. These females, after mating, were maintained individually on gerbox containers with honey and pollen as food source. At each 48h, 12 P. citrella larvae were changed. The average biological cycle of the female progenies from orchard and laboratory generation groups were 11.8 and 11.6 days, respectively. The males progenies had biological cycles of 11.6 and 10.9 days, as well. The shortest immature survival period, for both studied groups was the larval (57.3 percent - orchard group and 57.4 percent - lab group). The mated females average longevity (21.8 days) was superior than the non mated ones (9.1 days) for the orchard group. The average daily oviposition rate for this last group was also significantly superior (2.8 eggs /day) than the lab group (1.6 eggs / day). The same trend was observed for the average daily host feeding rate (1.7 larvae /day for the orchard group and 0.9 larvae/ day for the lab group). These data suggest that C. neotropicus have potencial as a biological control agent of P. citrella.

Spatial distribution of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) larvae in three scales

The spatial distribution of larvae of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), the citrus leaf miner, in leaves, shoots, and tree crowns of Montenegrina tangerine (Citrus deliciosa Tenore) and Murcott tangor (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck x Citrus reticulata Blanco) was determined. Fortnightly samplings from July/2001 to June/2003, in orchards located in Montenegro (29º 68’ S and 51º 46’ W), RS, Brazil, were carried out. At each sampling occasion eighth shoots randomly selected were collected. The spatial distribution pattern of P. citrella larvae between tree crowns and in the shoots was aggregated in most sampling occasions in both citrus species. Nevertheless, on the leaves, this pattern followed a random distribution, as indicated by the indices I, Idelta and k parameter.

Com o objetivo de determinar a distribuição espacial das larvas de Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), o minador-dos-citros, nas folhas, nos brotos e nas copas das plantas de tangerineira ‘Montenegrina’ (Citrus deliciosa Tenore) e de tangor ‘Murcott’ (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck x Citrus reticulata Blanco), foram realizadas amostragens quinzenais de julho de 2001 a junho de 2003 em pomares localizados em Montenegro (29º 68’ S e 51º 46’ W), RS, Brasil. Em cada ocasião de amostragem foram coletados aleatoriamente oito brotos. Através da análise, pelos índices de dispersão I e Idelta, o padrão de distribuição espacial das larvas de P. citrella entre as plantas e nos brotos de ‘Montenegrina’ e ‘Murcott’ foi agregado na maioria das ocasiões de amostragem. O padrão de distribuição espacial das larvas do minador-dos-citros nas folhas mostrou-se diferente do registrado em copas das plantas e brotos, os índices I, Idelta e o parâmetro k indicaram distribuição aleatória.