Rearing methods for the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton and its parasitoids in Israel

The citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton was reared on blooming citrus seedlings. Prior to their introduction into the rearing chamber all citrus seedlings were disinfested with pure methyl bromide. The rearing chambers are temperature controlled (24 +/- 2 degrees C) with a relative humidity of 60 +/- 10% RH and between 12 and 16 h of light. For illumination we used fluorescent lamps located approximately 40 cm above the pots with the plants. Six parasitoids were imported to Israel: Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya, Cirrospilus ingenuus Gahan, Citrostichus phyllocnistoides (Narayanan), Quadrastichus sp., Semielacher petiolatus (Girault), and Zaommomentedon brevipetiolatus Kamijo. Clear Perspex cages were used for rearing the parasitoids. Information about their biology is presented. All the parasitoids were released in citrus groves and recovery of some of them was recorded. (C) 1998 Academic Press.