NATURAL ENEMIES OF DAPHORIANA CITRI KUWAYAMA (HOMOPTERA: PSYLLIDAE) : A PEST OF CITRUS CROPS AT WESTERNUTTAR PRADESH
SANDHYA JAIN *
DEPTT. OF ZOOLOGY, D.A.V. COLLEGE, MUZAFFARNAGAR-251 001, INDIA
S.C. DHIMAN *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, M.S. GOLLEGE SAHARANPUR-247 002, INDIA
S. TOMAR *
DEPTT. OF ZOOLOGY, D.A.V. COLLEGE, MUZAFFARNAGAR-251 001, INDIA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
D. citri is a serious pest of citrus crops in India and other countries. Eight natural enemies including six predators and two parasitoids affecting only nymphal stage have been recorded. Predators are Camponatus compresis, Solenopsis geminata (ants), three species of lady bird beetles, Coccinella septumpunctata, C. rependa and Brumus saturalis, one Arachnid spider Marpisa tigrina are noticed. Two hymenopteran parasitoids Tamarixia radiata and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis have also been recorded parasitizing late immature stages of D. Citri.
Keywords: Natural enemies, Diaphoriana citri, Citrus crops