Citrus Insect Pests and Their Control

Citrus orange (Citrus sinensis) is a high value crop grown in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Currently citrus is cultivated in more than 130 countries with Brazil, China and USA being the biggest producers; Spain and South Africa the most important exporters. It is among the most important fruit crops of Ethiopia. Its cultivation started in Upper Awash Valley and Malkessa areas in South East Ethiopia. Sweet orange cultivation covers 82% of the total citrus areas surveyed in the country. This represented under government ownership 97%, individual 2.6% and association farm 0.4%. Numerous fruit crop pests have been recorded in Ethiopia. Forinstance, in Arbaminch (South Eastern) lost the production of citrus up to 80%. Red scale, leaf miner, Mediterranean fruit fly, false codling moth, thrips, aphids and bud mites were identified as a major pest on all citrus farm of Ethiopia. Production of sweet orange is also threatened by the devastating of leaf and fruit spot disease caused by Phaeramularia angolensis.