The Response of Bitter Orange Citrus Aurantium Trees to the Infestation of Oriental Yellow Scale Aonidiella Orientalis in Iraq

Abstract

Laboratory studies were carried out to investigate the differences between uninfested and infested bitter orange Citrus aurantium leaves with oriental yellow scale Aonidiella orientalis in Iraq. From this experiment, it is reasonable to determine that releases of volatile organic compounds from both uninfested and infested bitter orange C. aurantium as a response to the infestation of the oriental yellow scale A. orientalis. Some volatile organic compounds were found in uninfested leaves, while GC-MS did not detect others. Infested leaves by oriental yellow scale insects emitted significantly D-Limonene and β- Ocimene more than uninfested leaves of bitter orange. In contrast, the uninfested leaves emitted the compound Alloaromadendrene more than infested bitter orange. The changing of chemical profile in the bitter orange leaves can explain the response of citrus trees to the infestation of oriental yellow scale A. orientalis as a way of pest control by repellence insect pests or attractive the beneficial insects.