Aleurocanthus woglumi is a species of whitefly in the family Aleyrodidae. It is a pest of citrus crops and is commonly known as the citrus blackfly because of its slate blue colour. It originated in Asia but has spread to other parts of the world.[1] The parasitic wasps, Encarsia perplexa and Amitus hesperidum can help control the pest.[2]
| Aleurocanthus woglumi | |
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| Citrus blackfly | |
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| Genus: | Aleurocanthus
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| Species: | A. woglumi
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| Binomial name | |
| Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, 1915
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Distribution
This species is native to India but also occurs in other parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Mexico, the West Indies, Jamaica and the United States (Florida, Texas and Hawaii).[3]
Host species
The citrus blackfly is found on over 300 host plants[4] but it is citrus trees such as lemon, orange and pomelo that are most heavily infested. Non-citrus trees and shrubs when they grow by themselves are not normally attacked by this insect but they may be when they grow close to heavy infestations on citrus. In Hawaii, such trees as mango, avocado, pink tecoma and surinam cherry have hosted colonies.[3]
Life cycle
The female blackfly lays batches of eggs in a spiral pattern on the undersides of leaves. The eggs are golden-brown but darken before hatching [3] which happens in seven to ten days.[5]
The nymph moults three times. The first instar is a brown, elongated oval shape, about 0.30 mm long with two transparent filaments curling back over the body. The second instar is a darker brown and has short spines on its body. It measures about 0.40 mm long. The third instar is glossy black with many stout spines and measures about 0.87 mm long by 0.74 mm wide. The larval stages last three to nine weeks.[1]
The pupa is ovate, black with short bristles and a marginal fringe of waxy secretion.[5]
The adult when it first emerges has a pale yellow head, whitish legs and reddish-brown eyes. Soon afterwards it darkens, developing a fine covering of waxy powder which gives it a slate blue appearance.[5] The wings are angled and held in a tented fashion. The whole life cycle takes from 45 to 130 days, depending largely on the temperature.[1]
Damage
The principal harm done by the citrus blackfly is the sucking of the tree's sap which deprives it of both water and nutrients. The excretion of honeydew coats the leaf surfaces and encourages the growth of sooty mould fungus. This can severely impair both leaf respiration and photosynthesis. The combination of all these factors causes a decline in the health and vigour of the tree and a reduction in fruit yield.[3]
Management
The citrus blackfly has a number of natural enemies. The most effective agents for controlling it in Florida are the parasitic wasps, Encarsia perplexa[6] and Amitus hesperidum.[7] The former has a lower rate of reproduction than does A. hesperidum but is better able to search out suitable hosts.[8][9] The latter is well synchronized with its host as adult female wasps are ready to lay their eggs at about the same time as suitable larval stages of the blackfly are present.[10]These species have been used in biological control of the pest. For example, both species were introduced into Hawaii in 1999 after discovery of the presence of the citrus blackfly the previous year. Both wasps have succeeded in establishing themselves and are helping to reduce the damage done by the pest.[3]
The use of insecticides may help to control infestations temporarily but this is not advised because of the adverse effects on the environment and any existing predators. The application of an oil emulsion may be effective and less toxic. A sufficiency of water and appropriate applications of fertiliser will encourage growth and minimise damage.[3]
References
- ^ a b c Dietz HF, Zetek J. 1920. The blackfly of citrus and other subtropical plants. USDA Bulletin 885: 1-55.
- ^ Browning HW, Childers CC, Stansly PA, Peña J, Rogers ME. (November 2008). 2009 Florida citrus pest management guide: soft-bodied insects attacking foliage and fruit. EDIS. ENY-604.
- ^ a b c d e f http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/ppc/npa-1/npa99-03_citrusbf.pdf
- ^ University of Florida
- ^ a b c Dowell RV, Cherry RH, Fitzpatrick GE, Reinert JA, Knapp JL. 1981. Biology, plant-insect relations, and control of the citrus blackfly. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 818: 1-48.
- ^ Huang J, Polaszek A. 1998. A revision of the Chinese species of Encarsia Forster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): parasitoids of whiteflies, scale insects and aphids (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae, Diaspididae, Aphidoidea). Journal of Natural History 32: 1825-1966.
- ^ Hart WG, Selhime A, Harlan DP, Ingle SJ, Sanchez-R M, Rhode RH, Garcia CA, Caballero J, Garcia RL. 1978. The introduction and establishment of parasites of citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi in Florida (Hem.: Aleyrodidae). Entomophaga 23: 361-366.
- ^ Nguyen Ru. 1987. Encarsia opulenta (Silvestri) a parasite of Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Atherinidae). Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. Entomology Circular 301. 2 p.
- ^ Smith HD, Maltby HL, Jimenez EJ. 1964. Biological control of the citrus blackfly in Mexico. USDA-ARS. Technical Bulletin No. 1311: 1-30
- ^ Nguyen Ru, Brasil JR, Poucher C. 1983. Population density of the citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), and its parasites in urban Florida in 1979-81. Environmental Entomology 12: 878-884.