Population dynamic of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lep., Gracillaridae) and identification of it's parasitoids in citrus orchards of Shiraz

Population fluctuations, and parasitoids complex of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton were studied in two citrus orchards from June 2010 to September 2011 in Shiraz. To determine the density of P. citrella 10 trees were selected randomly every week and 40 leaves were collected from each tree. Weekly sampling in 2 orchards showed that the citrus leaf miner was emerged from the early May and increased its population gradually and reached to its maximum when the temperature was between 23.5–33.5 ◦C and the relative humidity was between 31.5–39% in June and July 2010. Insect population decreased during the summer month to the end of the August. Then the insect population increased. In early September and reached to its maximum when the temperature was between 21–27◦C and the relative humidity was between 34.5–44.5% in November. Because of the cold weather, the population density decreased from the end of January and reached to the minimum to the end of April. Four species of hymenopterous parasitoids were found and identified namely, Pediobius pyrgo (Walker), Pediobius saulius (Walker), Pnigalio soemius (Walker) and Closterocerus formosus (Westwood) (Eulophidae). The most common parasitoid during 2 years sampling was determined P .saulius