First record of Lecanoideus floccissimus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in cocoa from Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

The whitefly Lecanoideus floccissimus is reported for the first time from material collected in Tabasco, Mexico. Furthermore, to identify the biotic and abiotic factors that regulate its populations and the causes that induce their increase in cocoa crops, periodic sampling was conducted during 2004 in two plantations under different conditions. One was located in Mantilla, Cunduacan, > 35 years old, with scarce canopy and surrounded by cocoa plantations. The other plantation was located in Habanero, Cárdenas, approximately 15 years old, abundant canopy and isolated from cocoa plantations. Through direct sampling and yellow traps, the incidence of the pest (percentage of infested trees), population abundance and natural enemies were determined. The effect of temperature and precipitation on pest incidence was evaluated. L. floccissimus was present all year round. In the old plantation, incidence was higher (72.31 ± 21.81%) than the young plantation (26.39 ± 13.17%). The opposite occurred in insect populations: the highest levels were recorded in the young plantation and the lowest in the old plantation. The main natural enemies were the predator Ceraeochrysa sp. and parasitoids of the family Aphelinidae; the greatest activity of the entomophages was on eggs and early instars. Of the abiotic factors, only temperature was correlated with the pest (r = 0.76-0.77). The rapid proliferation of L. floccissimus in cocoa crops in Tabasco could be explained by the age of cocoa plantations (> 35 years), as well as the low diversity and activity of natural enemies.