Overview Of The Arthropod Pests Of Citrus Plants In Montenegro

Citrus plants (Citrus spp.) are among the most important fruit crops in Montenegro. The citrus producing area is located along a coastal plain with a length of 300 km. The satsuma mandarin (C. unshiu) is predominantly grown. Here we present a comprehensive review of the arthropod pests associated with the citrus crops in Montenegro. The study was based on previous research and experience, as well as on field surveys that were carried out along the coastal area from 2002 to 2019. The surveys included commercial citrus orchards, nurseries and individual trees in backyards and gardens, which were inspected once per month from April to November every year. Our results revealed 20 pest species recorded on citrus plants at the Montenegro seacoast. They included five species of mites (Acari) and 15 species of insects (Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera). The three species recorded throughout the whole growing season, most widespread and with the highest abundance were Aphis spiraecola, Phyllocnistis citrella and Panonychus citri. Of them, the spirea aphid A. spiraecola was the most common and with the highest population abundance in summer and autumn. Among the recorded species, Ceratitis capitata was considered the most important pest for the fruit production, followed recently by A. spiniferus. The most damaging for the nursery production was P. citrella, followed by P. citri and Dialeurodes citri.