Publications des agents du Cirad

Cirad

Successful acclimatization of the parasitoid Ageniaspis citricola in Reunion island for the biological control of the Citrus leaf miner

Quilici S., Franck A., Simiand C., Malausa J.C.. 2004. In : Proceedings of the 10th International Society of Citriculture Congress. Agadir (Morocco), 15-20 février 2004. Riverside : ISC, p. 933-936. Congress of the International Society of Citriculture. 10, 2004-02-15/2004-02-20, Agadir (Maroc).

The Citrus leaf-miner, Phyllocnistis citrella (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), first detected in La Reunion in 1995, rapidly spread to the whole island within a few months. During the following years, studies on the natural enemies complex of the leaf-miner showed the presence of five species of indigenous parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), with two species generally dominating : Neochrysocaris sp. and Sympiesis sp. However; during the following years, surveys on parasitism rates showed that indigenous parasitoids could not, in most cases, effectively control the leaf-miner populations. So, a biocontrol programme was initiated in 1998, in collaboration with INRA Antibes, in order to acclimatize the exotic ovo-pupal parasitoid Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaia (Hym. : Encyrtidae). A small-scale rearing was set up and releases made in a few suitable orchards in 1998-1999. A study on the evolution of leaf-miner populations and status of parasitism was carried out in 1999-2000. The seasonal variations of the leaf-miner populations were linked with vegetative flushes and the occurrence of other pests occupying a similar ecological niche (aphids, whiteflies). In 2000, A. citricola was detected in various localities, which confirmed the success of the acclimatisation programme. During recent years, damage caused the leaf-miner has been limited which is probably due to an improved biological equilibrium between the pest and its natural enemies. Future studies should focus on a better quantification of the impact of A. citricola.
Communication de congrès

Agents Cirad, auteurs de cette publication :