Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton

Taxonomic position

Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gracillarioidea: Gracillariidae: Phyllocnistinae

Common name

Citrus leafminer

Habitat / Crop(s) damaged

Citrus spp., Aegle marmelos, Alseodaphne semecarpifolia, Jasminum sambac, Murraya koenigii, M. paniculata, Pongamia pinnata, Dalbergia sissoo, Grewia asiatica, and other hosts.

Symptoms of damage and pest status

Larvae mine ventral side of tender leaves in new flushes, producing serpentine mines filled with a central line of yellowish frass and rarely, fruits. The affected leaves curl up and dry up. Pupation usually takes place near or on the margins of leaves. Adult moths are very small and whitish with silvery iridescent scales, black and tan markings and a black spot on wing tip.

A common and occasionally serious pest of all types of citrus.

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