NOTES ON PHYLLOCNISTIS CITRELLA STAINTON (LEPIDOPTERA: PHYLLOCNISTIDAE) ATTACKING FOUR CITRUS VARIETIES IN DARWIN

Abstract

Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton occurred throughout the year at Darwin in the Northern Territory and attacked more than half of the new leaves produced on 4 varieties of citrus. A mean of 5.9 eggs per leaf was recorded, with 32.7% on the upper surface. Only 5.2% of larvae pupated, with most succumbing to crowding. During the hottest months the life cycle was completed in 14–18 days. Citrus paradisi Macfadyen (var. Marsh's seedless grapefruit) was the most susceptible of the citrus varieties examined.