Monitoring of Citrus Psylla Population Dynamics in Shadananda and Bhojpur Municipality of Koshi Province, Nepal

Abstract

The study on monitoring of Asian citrus psylla (Diaphorina citri) population at different altitude of Bhojpur district was carried out in the elevation of 733 meter above sea level (masl) to 1473 masl. A total of nine sites were monitored using yellow sticky trap glued with acetic acid from 14^th March, 2024 to 3^rd July, 2024. The spatial and temporal variations in citrus psylla population was detected at Shadananda-8, Semeng (733 and 855 masl), Bhojpur-4, Badahare tol (1298 masl) and Bhojpur-5, Damsing (1473 masl).  Psyllid population was not found on yellow sticky trap at Shadananda-2, Tallo tabu (952 masl), Shadananda-11, Jhaupokhari (1081 masl), Shadananda-10 (1200 masl), Bhojpur-3, Gupteswor and Dawa bichbazar (1320 and 1556 masl). High psyllid population was detected in the month of April and May in low altitude area (<1000 masl), where temperature was from 27.6 - 29.5℃. Similarly, in high altitude sites (>1000 masl) the psyllid population was the highest in the month of June, where temperature was from 26.3 - 28.7℃. The results from the findings can be helpful to launch the management strategies for the control of citrus psylla in different altitude of Bhojpur district and similar agro-climatic zones in eastern Nepal.