DIVERSITY AND DAMAGE SEVERITY OF INSECT AND MITE PESTS OF CITRUS IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The present research work on diversity and damage severity of insect and mite pests of citrus was conducted in 60 upazilas under 20 districts of Bangladesh during April to August 2014. Data were collected through personal interviews of farmer’s, DAE Officials and BARI Scientist and by direct survey of farmers’ citrus orchard. Nine different Citrus cropsnamely lemon,lime, mandarin, sweet orange, pummelo, jamir, satkara, adalebu and jara lebuwerefound in different districts of Bangladesh of which satkara was recorded only in Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Hobigonj districts. From both farmers information and field survey data, 15 insect and mite pests were found in survey areas of Bangladesh. Citrus leaf miner and lemon butterfly were recorded in all 20 citrus growing areas under study with high level of infestation (farmer’s information 39.25± 7.66 and 63.75 ± 05.82 %, respectively and field survey data 44.85 ± 07.23and 70.90 ± 06.26%, respectively) and severity. Citrus green stink bug was recorded in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Hobigonj, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Bandarban, Rajshahi, Jessore Mymensingh, Tangail, Pabna, Sherpur, Chittagong, and Jhenaidah districts with high level of infestation (farmer’s information 18.79 ± 02.56% and field survey data 22.60 ± 03.58%) and severity as a major pest. Asian citrus psyllidwas recorded in Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Chittagong districts with low level of infestation and severity. Citrus blackfly, Citrus red mite, citrus red scale, bark and stem borer, citrus stem borer and citrus mealybug were minor pests. Citrus aphid, citrus whitefly, Citrus thrips, termite and citrus leaf folder were recorded as minor pest with medium to low level of infestation and severity.