A Synthetic pheromone for phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) attracts multiple leafminer species

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.