Parasitismo em Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) em Pomares de Citros em Montenegro, RS

Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, the citrus-leafminer, is an important pest of citrus worldwide. Knowledge of natural parasitism levels is fundamental to the establishment of tactics of management and control of this species. This work aimed to evaluate the parasitism in two citrus orchards, one of ‘Montenegrina’ (Citrus deliciosa Ten.) and the other of ‘Murcott’ (C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck x C. reticulata Blanco), located in Montenegro, RS. In fortnightly samplings, from July/2001 to June/2003, all leaves containing P. citrella pupae from randomly selected plants were collected and maintained individually until emergence of the parasitoids or the citrus-leafminer. Parasitism was calculated considering the number of emerged parasitoids relative to the total number of emerged individuals. Correlation and linear regression tests were done to evaluate the relationship and the influence of biotic and abiotic factors upon the parasitism index. In both orchards the greatest parasitism percentage was registered on autumn in both years. The total percentage was 36.2% in ‘Murcott’ and 26.4% in ‘Montenegrina’ in the first year, and 30.2% and 37.6%, respectively, in the second year. In ‘Murcott’, this index did not differed between the years (χ2 = 2.06; df = 1; P > 0.05), in ‘Montenegrina’ the parasitism was significantly higher in the second year (χ2 = 7.36; df = 1; P < 0.05). The correlation and linear regression tests indicated a strong influence, in the parasitism index, of the host populational density registered in the previous 45 and 135 days.