Host preference and population dynamics of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on citrus in three provinces of southern Iran

Citrus Greening disease is one of the most serious diseases in the world, which has recently been reported from some parts of Iran. Due to the presence of its vector, Diaphorina citri, in our country, study on the vector is essential. In order to identify the host species and population dynamism of Asian Citrus Psylla on different hosts, three citrus orchards of the same condition, each with three cultivars in Kerman, Hormozgan and Baluchestan provinces were selected. Ten selected trees of each cultivar and weeds were sampled every two weeks and collected insects were selected. The yellow sticky traps to capture adult was installed every other one in orchards. The mean number of psylla per tree on lemon were calculated 15.47±12.55, 11.49 ±1.11and 8.48±2.75 psylla in Baluchestan, Jiroft and Hormozgan, respectively and lemon is preferred host of this pest. Diagrams drawn from data showed that the insect population often increased in early March but the peak of population, depending on weather condition and time of bud formation of trees in each region is different. Population peak time is from late April to mid-May and late September in Jiroft, March, Late May and early June in Baluchistan and in March and April in Hormozgan. As a result, the control time in any studied region is different according to population peak time.