A Synthetic Pheromone for Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) Attracts Multiple Leafminer Species

Authors

  • Akito Y. Kawahara
  • Moneen Jones
  • Qianju Jia
  • Stephen L. Lapointe
  • Philip A. Stansly

Abstract

The citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, is a major pest of citrus throughout the world. The larval stage of the moth mines leaves and reduces photosynthesis and increases the incidence and severity of citrus canker disease. A lure comprised of 2 aldehyde compounds isolated from pheromone glands of female P. citrella is widely used to monitor field populations. We conducted a preliminary morphological and molecular analysis to examine candidate species of Phyllocnistis that are attracted to pheromone lures containing the 2 major components of the P. citrella sex pheromone. Our results demonstrated that several species of Phyllocnistis, including P. insignis and P. vitegenella, are attracted to the 2 major pheromone components of P. citrella.

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Published

2013-09-19

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Section

Scientific Notes