Incidence of Trioza erytreae (del Guercio) (Homoptera: Triozidae), a Psyllid Vector of Greening in young citrus plants in Cameroon

• Published in: Insect science and its application 2002-01, Vol.22 (2), p.97-103
• Main Authors: Tamesse, J L, Messi, J
• Format: Article
• Language: fre
• Subjects: Trioza erytreae; Triozidae
• ISSN: 0191-9040

It is known that in citrus orchards, the citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae (Homoptera: Triozidae) preferentially chooses certain varieties for egg laying, feeding and larval development. However, the selection mechanism in citrus nurseries is poorly understood. The aim of the present work was to study in the nursery, the behavior of T. erytreae with respect to choice of egg laying and feeding sites in three species of citrus, namely Villafranca lemon, Mexican lime and Fremont mandarin. One hundred young plants of each were exposed to the citrus psyllid on the fourth month after germination, and psyllids and pit galls counted every month. The impact of the psyllid's damage on citrus was also assessed. Adults of T. erytreae were highly attracted to the young citrus plants three weeks after the germination of seeds. The average number of adults, eggs and larvae of T. erytreae by plant varied with the particular citrus plant: on young plants, adult, larval and egg populations were highest on lime. Four months later, 100% of lime, 97% of lemon and 76% of mandarin plants were attacked by T. erytreae. Those plants attacked shortly after germination were stunted and their leaves greatly deformed. In the absence of pest management in the citrus nursery, citrus psylla can cause the loss of up to 91% of young plants.