The blue-green citrus nibbler
A visitor amongst us
By Evans Mauda and Sean Moore (Citrus Research International)
Background
Chrysomelids, commonly known as leaf beetles, belong to one of the largest families of the order Coleoptera, the Chrysomelidae family. Insects in this family show great diversity, and variation in colour, shape and size. Adults and larvae of these species are mostly herbivorous, with few species known to be host-specific (Vela et al., 2014). Some chrysomelids have been used around the world as biological control agents of alien invasive weeds (e.g. Cripps, 2013; Winston et al., 2014; Cripps et al., 2019; Chari et al., 2020).
Read MoreSome chrysomelids are well-known crop pests, including economically significant crops such as potato, avocado, cabbage, plum and citrus to name a few (Bedford et al., 1998; Vela et al., 2014). However, some species are only occasional feeders on such crops, rarely causing significant economic damage, unless present in high numbers (Bedford et al., 1998; Picker et al., 2004; Vela et al., 2014).
The blue-green citrus nibbler lays eggs in clusters of 3 – 1OOOO, usually found on the extreme tip of the leaf.
The visiting nibbler
Colasposoma fulgidum Lefèvre, commonly known as the blue-green citrus nibbler, is one such species. It is an indigenous leafeating chrysomelid beetle, and is a minor pest of citrus, found occasionally feeding on young citrus leaves and stalks (Figure A and B) and even less often on fruit. The beetle occurs on other indigenous wild trees and shrubs emerging in spring. Valencia and Navel oranges are amongst the most attacked citrus types during the emergence period, whilst these beetles have rarely been found feeding on lemons and Mandarins (Bedford et al., 1998). The blue-green citrus nibbler has been recorded feeding on a variety of host plants, including black jack and other orchard weeds (Bedford et al., 1998). Indigenous plants hosting the beetle include river bushwillow or rooiblaar (Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond. Combretaceae) and buffalo thorn or blinkblaar-wag-’n-bietjie (Ziziphus mucronata Willd. subsp. mucronata Rhamnaceae) (see, Webb, 1974; Annecke & Moran, 1982). Furthermore, the beetle has also been recorded on guava trees (Joubert, 1936).
Distribution
The beetle’s recorded distribution in SA is from four localities: Letaba Estate, Zebediela, Nelspruit and Rustenburg (Bedford et al., 1998). Recent field observations have also noted the beetle in several other locations: Burgersfort, Letsitele, Malalane and Ohrigstad. Documenting the updated distribution of these visitors will help with targeted and rapid monitoring of the normal sporadic outbreaks of these insects, providing early warning of the damage they might cause, when present in large numbers.
Economic importance
Infestations of the nibbler rarely occur and damage to young fruit and leaves is not common in most orchards. Although the beetle preferentially feeds on young leaves, smaller fruit, up to pea-size, are sometimes targeted, whilst larger fruit (almost golf ball size) are usually avoided by the beetle. Hardened dark green leaves can also be consumed.
Life history
Eggs
The blue-green citrus nibbler lays eggs in clusters of 3 – 100, usually found on the extreme tip of the leaf (Bedford et al., 1998). Eggs are mostly laid on the upper surface of the leaf, resembling a long pale yellow cylinder. These leaves are usually hidden inside the tree canopy, amongst the lower hanging older leaves, thus often not easy to see. The incubation period of the eggs is 2 – 4 weeks. Eggs are laid normally in the middle of November, with some eggs starting to hatch at the end of November with hatchlings being encountered in December.
Larva and pupa
Newly emerged larvae will fall to the ground. However, little more is known about the larval feeding habits and pupal duration.
Adults
The adult blue-green citrus nibbler is a beautifully coloured metallic blue-green (Figure C) – hence its name – emerging from the soil after the pupal period. Colouration can differ from region to region, with beetles in some areas having a dominant metallic green whilst in other areas a dominant metallic blue (Figure D). However, information on the cause of this colour variation is still lacking.
Colouration can differ from region to region, with beetles in some areas having a dominant metallic green whilst in other areas a dominant metallic blue
Seasonal occurrence
The blue-green citrus nibbler undergoes one generation per year, with the first beetles emerging between September and October and feeding and mating in November (Bedford et al., 1998). When suitable foliage is scarce, these visitors will continue feeding and mating on other surrounding vegetation in the orchard. The nibbler becomes scarce towards the end of December to early January, with very few beetles being found on the flush in late January.
Control measures are not necessary for this visitor. Although, in citrus nurseries with a lot of young trees constantly f lushing, it may occasionally be necessary if the beetle is present in large numbers.
Control measures
Control measures are not necessary for this visitor. Although, in citrus nurseries with a lot of young trees constantly flushing, it may occasionally be necessary if the beetle is present in large numbers. Most of the eggs laid in November are parasitized by two or three species of parasitoids, suppressing the beetle population to an almost nondetectable level. However, little is known about the parasitoids and they are yet to be identified (Bedford et al., 1998). Two or more parasitoid species may emerge from one egg in some instances.
References
Annecke, D.P. & Moran, V.C. (1982) Insects and Mites of Cultivated Plants in South Africa. Butterworths.
Bedford, E.C.G., Berg, M.A. Van den & Villiers, E.A. De. (1998) Citrus pests in the Republic of South Africa. Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops ; Outspan International, Nelspruit; Hennopsmeer.
Chari, L.D., Mauda, E. V, Martin, G.D. & Raghu, S. (2020) Insect herbivores associated with Lycium ferocissimum (Solanaceae) in South Africa and their potential as biological control agents in Australia. African Entomology, 28, 359–373.
Cripps, M. (2013) Beetles Decimate Californian Thistles at Lincoln In “What’s new in biological control of weeds”.Manaaki Whenua.
Cripps, M.G., Jackman, S.D. & Koten, C. van. (2019) Folivory impact of the biocontrol
beetle, Cassida rubiginosa, on population growth of Cirsium arvense. BioControl, 64, 91–101.
Joubert, C.J. (1936) The Blue-green citrus nibbler. Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Pretoria, South Africa. Picker, M., Griffiths, C. & Weaving, A. (2004) Field Guide to Insects of South Africa. 2nd edn. Struik.
Vela, J., García Méndez-Villamil, G., Jiménez Cuesta, A., López Trujillo, D., Wong Creus, E. & Boyero Gallardo, J. (2014) Clytrini (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) as occasional leaf feeders on avocado and plum trees in Southern Spain. Boletín de la Asociación Española de Entomología, 38, 325–330.
Webb, D.V. V. (1974) Forest and Timber Entomology in the Republic of South Africa. Entomological Memoirs, Entomology memoirs of the Union of South Africa Department of Agriculture.
Winston, R.L.L., Schwarzländer, M., Hinz, H.L.L., Day, M.D.D., Cock, M.J.W.J.W. & Julien, M.H.H. (2014) Biological Control of Weeds: A World Catalogue of Agents and Their Target Weeds. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. 5th edn. The Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia, West Virginia. FHTET-2014-04.
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