General considerations on melanoloma viatrix Hondel, a new pest of pineapple
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A new pest, Melanoloma viatrix Hendel (Díptera: Richardiidae), has been detected attacking pineapple fruits in Colombia since 1991, and actually it is causing severe losses in yields in crops located in Antioquia, Santander, and Norte de Santander states. Due to its importance, it has been necessary to describe the insect stages and to make some observations about its biology and habits in order to find alternatives for its control. The work was carried out in the Crop Protection Laboratory of ICA at Medellin, located at 1,450 masl. Samples of pineapple fruits were harvested of infested localities of Cocorná and Vegachí (Antioquia - Colombia) in different months of the year. The characteristics of the different stages of insects that permit its identification were determined. Also, some aspects related to the habits that help to design some measures to the management of this pest were identified.
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