First record of Diaphorina citri in Oman
Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is the most important citrus species grown in Oman (e.g. covering approximately 1200 ha with a production of 5800 tons in 2004). Although earlier surveys had not detected any psyllids on citrus in Oman, Diaphorina citri (Homoptera: Aphalaridae - EPPO A1 List, vector of citrus huanglongbing) was first observed in September 2005 at Barka (Al-Batinah region), in the North of the country. Since then, the pest has been regularly observed in most citrus orchards of the Al-Batinah region. As of April 2008, D. citri was found to be present in 3 locations: Barka, Al-Rustaq in the Al-Batinah region, and Masirat Al-Rawajeh near Nizwa in the A’Dakhliyah region. At Barka, all stages of D. citri were observed in citrus fields, large numbers of insects were caught and infested trees presented clear symptoms (leaf malformation and distortion). Because of its wide distribution in Oman, it is suspected that D. citri was introduced some time before 2005. In the Arabian Peninsula, D. citri has been reported from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and more recently from the United Arab Emirates. In addition, it has been found in Eastern Iran. Concerning the pathogens it transmits, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’ (EPPO A1 List) have both been reported in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, but not in Oman.
The situation of Diaphorina citri in Oman can be described as follows: Present, first recorded in 2005, widespread in citrus orchards in the Northern part of the country (Al-Batinah and A’Dakhliyah regions).
Sources
Al-Zadjali TS, Ibrahim R, Al-Rawahi AK (2008) First record of Diaphorina citri Kukayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) from the Sultanate of Oman. Insecta Mundi 0039, 1-3.