Agrobiocenosis of citriculture (Citrus plants) has been wide-spread in Western Georgia for more than
100 years. Citrus and other subtropical plants was imported by A.N. Krasnov from East Asia (V. V. Petrov
1976) in 1912. Citrus seedlings were mainly imported from China and Japan. Wreckers have Asian origin. In
recent years, three new quarantine species of whiteflies have been identified in citrus plants in Georgia,
namely: Aleurocanthus woglumi, Aleurocanthus spiniferous and Aleurothrixus floccosus.
Citrus Aleurocanthus Woglumi, Aleurocanthus spiniferous and Aleurothrixus floccosus are new
quarantine wreckers in Georgia. The research was conducted in Western Georgia with the purpose of
investigating the distribution of pests in citrus agrocoenosis: Tangerine, lemon and orange throughout the
year.
According to the results of literature review, it is apparent that just one type of whitefly is studied from many
other species (distribution, plant nutrition, biology, harmfulness etc.) in all countries. Nothing has been
reported about their complex harmfulness. The development of three types of citrus whiteflies simultaneously
was first mentioned (Georgia, World) with the help of the performed research.
The study was performed in 22 municipalities. The samples were taken from 52 trial (earth plot)
areas. The names of the plants were screened instantly – Citrus Aleurocanthus woglumi (weak, medium,
strong). The research was implemented in the period of October 18-23, 2018.
Citrus Aleurocanthus woglumi was found in the following locations: in Chakvi 95m above the sea
level, the pest was (Imago) a nymph about 1, 2, 3 years old. Eggs and puparium, the density of the location
were equal to 50%. The pest was fed by lemons, oranges, apples, pears and persimmons; but not tangerine .
The intensity of pest diseases varied from host to host.
Tangerine is the optimal feeder for Aleurocanthus woglumi, where the damage intensity is 50%.
The intensity of harmfulness by Aleurocanthus woglumi was less (about 25%) in tangerine orchards
in the area of 92m above the sea level. In the first location the plants were thick and the level of aeration was
low. The mentioned demonstration area belongs to Mechkhere Gorgadze, which is located at 30m above the
sea level, where the intensity of damage was 25%.
The intensity of tangerine damage in the village of Khala was high (50%) in both locations: 71m
and 73m above the sea level in the citrus nursery of Chakvi (16m above the sea level). The intensity of
harmfulness to lemons was 10% on a trifoliate 10% and 25 tangerines, but the intensity of damage (154m
above the sea level; 120 m; 73 m) to tangerines was 10% in Tsikhisdziri.
The intensity of damage by Blackflies (14m above the sea level) in Batumi Botanical Garden was high
(50%) to lemons, tangerines, oranges and trifoliates, when 79m (25%) above the sea level.
According to the research data, from the 25 locations inspected, only 12 were observed
(Harmfulness/damages of whiteflies: Aleurocanthus woglumi, Aleurocanthus spiniferous and Aleurothrixus
floccosus)