Ovipositional antixenosis to Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton in Citrus genotypes and related genera

Abstract

This study evaluated oviposition of citrus leaf miner (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), in different Citrus genotypes and related genera to search for resistance sources of type antixenosis or no preference for oviposition. Initially, we screened 23 genotypes and we used lime ‘Rugoso’ (Citrus jambhiri Lush.) as the susceptibility standard. Based on the number of eggs and pupae found on the plants, five genotypes were most promising to significantly reduce pest population: trifoliata ‘Limeira’ (Poncirus trifoliata), hybrids M x P222 [Citrus sinensis × Tangor Murcott (Citrus sinensis × C. reticulata)], C x R4 (Citrus sunki × P. trifoliata) and C x R315 (C. sunki × P. trifoliata) and tangerine ‘Sunki’ (C. sunki). In the preference test for oviposition with choice, trifoliata ‘Limeira’ and hybrid C x R315 were the least preferred genotypes by CLM, while in the no choice test, the effect of the genotypes was less evident, with a difference only between trifoliata ‘Limeira’ (less oviposited) and lime ‘Rugoso’ (more oviposited). Thus, trifoliata ‘Limeira’ and hybrid C x R315 are potential sources of antixenosis resistance and could be used in breeding programs to incorporate CLM resistance factors in improved genotypes.