Citrus

Citrus Blackfly

Aleurocanthus woglumi

Insect

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In a Nutshell

  • Honeydew on leaves and stems.
  • Sooty appearance.
  • Groups of small, black lumps on the lower side of the leaf.

Can also be found in

2 Crops
Citrus
Mango

Citrus

Symptoms

Infested leaves may look distorted and curled, eventually, fall off during the premature stage. Sticky honeydew deposits accumulate on leaves and stems and usually develop black mould fungus, giving the foliage a sooty appearance. Ants may be attracted by the honeydew. The insects are most noticeable as groups of very small, black spiny lumps on leaf undersides. The combination of feeding damage and sooty mould growth weaken the trees and reduces fruiting.

Recommendations

Organic Control

Encarsia Perplexa, Polaszek and Amitus hesperidum silvestri have been identified as parasitic wasps of Citrus Blackfly. The wasps are known to parasitize only the citrus black fly and closely related whiteflies, but will not harm plants and people. The insects such as ladybird, lacewing, Brumus sp., Scymnus sp. and Chlysoperla sp. are other natural enemies. Oils such as cotton oil and Fish Oil Rosin Soap (FORS) are effective and eco-friendly in nature not only to reduce the blackfly population but also reduces sooty moulds on leaves. Use neem seed extract spray (4%) to reduce the pest population.

Chemical Control

Always consider an integrated approach with preventive measures together with biological treatments, if available. Avoid the use of wide-spectrum pesticides to conserve natural enemies of A. woglumi. The insect can be controlled by fumigation of planting material or with chemical sprays. Spray curative pesticides when more than 50% of the eggs hatch and the younger ones are without any protective cuticle over their body. Quinalphos is found promising in reducing the population of citrus blackfly. Spraying must be done on the lower surface of the leaves where the pest thrives. The entire plant canopy should be drenched with the solution.

What caused it?

The citrus blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi) is a serious citrus pest of Asian origin and infests various host plants. It is a member of the whitefly family but the adult has a dark, slate blue appearance that led to it being given the name blackfly. The adult is a very sluggish tiny insect with limited flying range, but is active at dusk and rests on the lower leaf surface during the day. Females produce around 100 golden coloured eggs that are laid in spiral patterns on the lower side of the leaves. Thy nymphs are flattened, oval in shape and scale-like in their appearance. The cell sap is sucked from the leaves through the blackfly's piercing stylet. Simultaneously the fly secretes honeydew in large amounts. The optimal conditions for development are met at a temperature around 28-32°C and relative humidity of 70-80%. A. woglumi cannot survive in cold environments, where frost occurs.

Preventive Measures

  • Make sure to use pest-free plants for your orchard.
  • Create good conditions for air circulation within your orchard by avoiding close planting.
  • Adequate pruning and the removal of alternative hosts (weed and other host crops) will reduce suitable habitats for the blackfly.
  • Monitor your trees regularly for signs of the pest and sooty plant parts.
  • Provide adequate water and some fertilizer but avoid water logging or stress conditions to keep your citrus trees healthy.
  • Excessive irrigation and application of nitrogen, as well as pesticidal sprays, should be avoided.
  • Remove potential overwintering debris to reduce the chance of new infestation during the next growing season.

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