Biological control of the citrus leafminer 25 years after its introduction in the Valencia citrus growing area (Spain): A new player in the game

Natural enemies have been the key factor for regulation of citrus leafminer populations, Phyllocnistis citrella, since its introduction in Spain 1993. The use various broad-spectrum insecticides has banned recent years. This led to an increase abundance and importance complex generalist predators that inhabit canopy. In this work, we hypothesize incidence P. citrella impact natural would changed due greater presence predators. Following same protocols used previous studies, three orchards located Valencia, major citrus-growing area Spain, were monitored during 2017–2018. decreased from 1.8 2.4 mines per leaf 2006 0.93–1.98 decrease could be attributed 43.0% mortality by compared 2006. Currently, predation is most important factor. Predation resulted 50.6% caused 34.6% first larval instar was susceptible predation. Among collected, density Pilophorus clavatus, a zoophytophagous mirid recently detected Spanish citrus, positively correlated with laboratory, females clavatus preyed actively on second-instar citrella. Our results show conservation biological control suggest occupying niche