The citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella, Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), is an exotic pest of citrus originally found in Florida in 1993 followed by Texas in 1994. Feeding damage by CLM predisposes trees to citrus canker. Loss of citrus crop caused by canker is estimated at 10% of a total $1.3 billion on-tree value for all citrus in the U.S. Until recently, only pesticidal sprays were used to control CLM. The situation changed, however, when a new pheromone for CLM was identified. This pheromone can be used in semiochemical-based CLM management techniques such as Attract&Kill or Mating Disruption. The pheromone, which is not commercially available, is difficult and extremely expensive to synthesize. Current estimated manufacturing cost of CLM based on published procedures is $200,000 per kg. At this cost of the pheromone, its use in semiochemical-based management techniques is too costly. In this project, we intend to develop a simplified, less expensive, and scaled up synthetic pathway for the citrus leafminer pheromone. OBJECTIVES: The long term technical objective of this project is to develop a commercial scale synthetic pathway for the CLM pheromone for use in semiochemical-based citrus leafminer pest management technologies. Currently CLM is managed with insecticidal sprays. The proposed research on synthesis of CLM pheromone will lead to development of attract and kill, and mating disruption technologies as an alternative to conventional insecticidal spray. Overall this will provide growers with a number of options to control pests in citrus orchards as all of the semiochemical-based methods are compatible and can be used alone or in combination. Also A&K is very compatible with biological controls that exist in orchards at present or those that may be developed through future research.
