Damage potential of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) in various citrus nursery plantations

Spodoptera litura is a notorious leaf-feeding pest of many crops in Pakistan. The host range of this pest includes cultivated crops, vegetables, weeds, fruits and ornamental plants. The caterpillars of noctuid moths may occur on citrus trees and cause sporadic damage to citrus, especially in citrus nurseries where it feeds on tender leaves. The objectives were to quantify the amount of leaf area consumed by larvae of S. litura on various citrus cultivars. Citrus cultivars, feutral’s early and seedless kinnow were consumed most while grapefruit was consumed the least. The results of this study will be useful in assessing the damage potential of this pest on various citrus nursery cultivars and will aid in developing suitable control measures for this pest before it establish as a major pest in citrus nurseries.