Survey on pests of acid lime, Citrus aurantifolia in Perambalur district and management of the major pest, the citrus leaf minerPhyllocnistis citrellaStainton

Abstract

A survey conducted in Perambalur district in the year 2015-16 showed that acid lime was
grown in nearly ten villages covering a total area of 98.4 ha. Periodical survey to assess the pest
prevalence at weekly intervals from December 2015 to May 2016 showed the presence of insect pests
viz., Phyllocnistis citrella (citrus leaf miner), Papilio demoleus(citrus butterfly), Toxoptera
auranti(aphids) and Planococcus citri(mealy bug). Among them leaf miner incidence was found to be
severe and it coincided with the new flush. Leaf miner incidence was initially noticed in the first
fortnight of December after which it gradually increased and the incidence reached the peak in the
first fortnight of February 2016 when the average mean temperature was around 29.8oC. Management
of citrus leaf miner with insecticides such as spinosad 45%SC (0.34ml/l), dimethoate 30%EC (2ml/l),
profenophos 50%EC (2.5ml/l), imidacloprid 17.8SL (0.03ml/l), nicotine decoction 40% (30ml/l),