author(s)
Muhammad Faisal Shareef, Abu Bakar Muhammad Raza, Muhammad Zeeshan Majeed, Kanwer Shahzad Ahmed, Waqas Raza and Hafiz Faqir Hussain

abstract
Citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Gracillariidae: Lepidoptera), is a serious and primary pest of citrus and causes extensive damage to new leaf flush in citrus nurseries and orchards. Control of this pest mostly relies on synthetic insecticides and there are no known alternate effective control measures. In this study, effect of different plant extracts was evaluated on the population infestation of citrus leafminer. In this regard, four plants extracts were used viz; neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), datura (Datura stramonium L.) leaf extracts and lime (Citrus aurantiifolia Swingle), kurtuma (Citrullus colocynthis L.) peel extracts with 10, 20 and 30 percent concentrations against citrus leafminer infestation on kinnow nursery seedlings. Spray of plant extracts were repeated three times with the interval of 15 days on selected plants. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Percent population infestation of citrus leafminer was recorded before the application and after 24, 48, and 72 hrs of spray. Results revealed that peak infestation of leafminer appeared in end August to early October, and moreover, foliar application of 30% neem and kurtuma leaf extracts gave up to 12% reduction in the population infestation of citrus leafminer at 72 hrs post application. Ther fore, neem extract is recommended to manage and control citrus leafminer infestation on citrus nursery seedlings.