Wednesday, December 12, 2001 -
D0747

Population dynamics of aphids in papaya fields in Puerto Rico

Alberto Pantoja1, Wilfredo Robles1, Edwin Abreu1, Elias Hernandez2, and Jorge Pena3. (1) University of Puerto Rico, Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Crop Protection, P.O. Box 21360, Rio Piedras, PR, (2) Colegio de Postgrados de Mexico, Campus Veracruz, Cientifico Visitante, CP, Campus de Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico, (3) University of Florida, TREC, 18905 SW, 280 TH ST, Homestead, FL

Papaya is an important fruit in Puerto Rico. An insect complex is responsible for transmition of papaya bunchy top (PBT) and the papaya ring spot virus (PRSV). Studies were conducted in two localities, North and Central areas of Puerto Rico. Aphids and leafhoppers were collected during two consecutive years in semi-commercial settings. Insect species composition was affected by locality and weed composition. The incidence of PBT and PRSV is affected by insect density and weeds composition. The use of plastic mulch affected insect abundance and the prevalence of PBT and PRSV.

Species 1: Homoptera Aphididae Aphis spp (aphids)
Species 2: Homoptera Cicadellidae Empoasca papayae (leafhoppers)
Keywords: papaya, insects

The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA