The citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrellaStainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), was first reported in California in the southern desert region of the Imperial Valley in January 2000. It has since spread all over Imperial County having been recorded in the commercial citrus groves to the north of the valley by fall 2001. Population dynamics have been monitored from July 2001 to the present. No activity was observed during the summer when new flushes were present. Activity resumed in October with levels increasing during the fall, and declining in winter. No new activity was recorded during spring. One eulophid parasitoid, Closterocerus utahensis, was recorded parasitizing the citrus leafminer, although parasitism levels did not exceed 15%.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Gracillariidae Phyllocnistis citrella (Citrus Leafminer)
Species 2: Hymenoptera Eulophidae Closterocerus utahensis
Keywords: seasonal dynamics, parasitism
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