Diversity and population dynamics of parasitoids of citrus leaf miner on acid lime in Karnataka Paul Hanamantagouda V.*, Gopali Venkateshalu J. B., Awati Mallikarjun1 Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, 587104 1Department of Crop Physiology *Corresponding author Email: hanamul16@gmail.com
Online published on 23 October, 2018. Abstract The parasitoid species composition, their population dynamics and parasitism on Phyllocnisits citrella were studied in acid lime ecosystem in Bagalkot and Vijayapur districts (Karnataka), during 2014–15. The parasitoid complex comprised totally seven hymenopteran parasitoids belonging to three families viz., Eulophidae, Braconidae and Platygastridae. Two larval-pupal parasitoids viz., Cirrospilus ingenum Gahan and Sympiesis striatipes Ashmead and five larval parasitoids viz., Omphale sp., Bracon sp., Citrostichus sp., Apanteles sp. and a Scelioninae species were observed. The parasitization ranged from 29.83 to 70.94%. Among these C. ingenuus, S. striatipes and Citrostichus sp were the most dominant and thus could be exploited in biological control. Out of seven parasitoids, Omphale sp., Apanteles sp., and an unidentified species of Scelioninae had been reported herein as parasitoids of citrus leaf miner for the first time from India. Correlation between the live mines of citrus leaf miner and its parasitoids indicated that C. ingenuus is a potent parsitoid for conservation and exploitation in biological control. Top Keywords Phyllocnistis citrella, acid lime, parasitoids, Apanteles sp, Cirrospilus ingenuus, Citrostichus sp, Sympiesis striatipes, population dynamics. Top |