Food-plants of Citrus Leaf-miner (Phyllocnistis citrella Stn.) in the Punjab

Abstract

The Citrus Leaf-miner (Phyllocnistis citrella) has been recorded from plants belonging to several widely differing botanical families.It is shown that the true food-plants of this pest are the various species of Citrus and Aegle marmelos.Elephant lemon (Citrus medica), which has comparatively succulent leaves, is the most susceptible species of Citrus, whilst lime (C. aurantiifolia), with its comparatively thick and coarse leaves, is the least susceptible. Aegle marmelos is not of any importance as the attack in this case is negligible.C. medica should be excluded from citrus orchards as it is of least economic importance, and is highly susceptible to attack. C. limonia, which is usually grown as a hedge around gardens, provides an undisturbed breeding ground for the pest and should as far as possible not be planted around citrus plantations.