Evaluation of the citrus leaf miner (Phyllocnistis citrella) in Ahvaz region damage to different citrus species

Citrus leaf-miner, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), is one of the pests limiting citrus species in Khuzestan. The damage of six citrus species to this pest was evaluated in Ahvaz region orchards. For this purpose, 10 cm long twigs from each tree of the first instar of larvae were randomly selected and covered with a sleeve trap. Then, the date of infection, number of eggs, larvae, pupae, adults, and the duration of larval and pupal stages were recorded daily. There was a significant difference between the studied traits in this experiment. The highest average length of the larval period was related to orange (11.75±0.47 days) and the lowest average of tangerine (6.50±0.28 days) was recorded. Also, the highest mean pupal period was related to key lime (12.66±0.88 days) and grapefruit (11.66±0.67 days), and orange (5.00±0.07 days) had the lowest average. The highest number of pest different life stages was recorded in orange fruit (eggs: 10.75, larvae: 10.25, pupae: 9.75 and adults: 9.25) and the lowest number was observed in sweet lemon (eggs: 4.75, larvae: 4.00, pupae: 3.50 and adults: 3.50). The level of contaminated leaf area showed that the highest average of orange (0.82±0.05) and the lowest average of sweet lemon (0.35 ± 0.05) were recorded. According to the parameters studied, orange have suffered maximum and sweet lemon and Grapefruit minimum damage from pest attack.