Population Fluctuation and Altitudinal Distribution ofTetraleurodes perseae(Nakahara) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Avocado (Lauraceae) in Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

Although whiteflies Tetraleurodes perseae (Nakahara) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are considered a secondary pest of avocado crops, their presence and the damages that they cause can decrease crop vigor and affect production. The objective of the present work was to determine the population fluctuation and altitudinal distribution of the T. perseae Nakahara whitefly in avocado trees, as well as to determine the number of possible generations in one year. The study was done in three orchards in Morelos state, located at different altitudes, from February 2014 to April 2015. Samplings were done every 21 days from 10 randomly chosen trees in each orchard. The samples were taken randomly from the middle stratus (1.6 m in height) of each tree; in buds or young leaves for the number of adults and leaves only for nymphs. Additionally, two yellow traps (7 × 14 cm) with glue were placed in each tree for adult samplings. Data were collected regarding vegetative budding, rainfall, relative humidity, and temperature. T. perseae was present in all three sampled orchards, with a greater presence in the lowest orchard, during the whole study period. In the orchard with the lowest altitudinal gradient (1,736 masl), 11 whitefly generations developed; 10 generations developed in the medium gradient orchard (1,934 masl); and 8 generations developed in the highest orchard (2,230 masl). The adults showed a positive relationship with regard to vegetative buds, while the nymphs had a negative relationship with regard to relative humidity. The rest of the parameters showed diverse effects on the species depending on the altitude of the orchard.

Spatial Analysis of Presence, Injury, and Economic Impact of the Melolonthidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) Complex in Avocado Crops

“…Integrating information about altitude, topography, host range, stages of growth and development of the insect and the host plant, biological populations, diversity, edaphoclimatic conditions, and many others is crucial to select, plan, and manage sustainable crops. In particular, integration of such information is very useful to prevent and control pest and disease outbreaks, save pesticide applications, or minimize damage and losses (Carrillo et al 2016, García-Palacios et al 2016.…”

“…In avocado, research about spatial and temporal information of insect pests has been performed mainly in thrips, fruit flies, moths, and ambrosia beetles (Ávila-Quezada et al 2003, García-Palacios et al 2016, Koch & Smith 2008, Menocal et al 2018, Maldonado-Zamora et al 2017. In smallholders' orchards of avocado located in Africa, spatial distribution of Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel and Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick was determined through an altitudinal gradient (Odanga et al 2018).…”

Assessment of a Culturally-Tailored Sexual Health Education Program for African American Youth

“…By using a comparison group that was similar to the intervention group, it is highly likely that the results observed were attributable to the intervention. Previous research was limited because a comparison group was not used to test program effects against an intervention group [ 34 ]. Finally, there was low attrition of participants, with 80% retained from pre- to post-intervention.…”

Pest categorisation of Tetraleurodes perseae

“…The life cycle of T. perseae consists of eggs, four larval (also referred to as nymphal) instars and adults. The first larval instar has well‐developed legs and crawls over the host plant in search of a suitable feeding site, usually settling a short distance from the egg (García‐Palacios et al., 2016 ). The later three larval instars have reduced legs and are sessile.…”

“…The biology of T. perseae has been studied on avocado in California (Hoddle, 2006 ) and Mexico (García‐Palacios et al., 2016 ). In California, it was found to be probably univoltine and have a distinct population peak during mid‐ to late summer on succulent young leaves, which are ideal for feeding and oviposition.…”