Abstract

CEBALLOS, Margarita; BANOS, Heykel Leyanis; CHICO, R  and  SANCHEZ, Adayakny. CHALCID PARASITOIDS (HYMENOPTERA, CHALCIDOIDEA) ASSOCIATED WITH COCCOIDEA (HEMIPTERA) IN COCONUT (Cocos nucifera L.) (ARECACEAE). Rev. Protección Veg. [online]. 2011, vol.26, n.1, pp. 62-65. ISSN 2224-4697.

The complex of chalcid parasitoid associated with scale insect species present in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) was studied with the aim of expanding the possibilities of use and conservation of natural enemies in fruit growing areas in urban agroecosystems. Periodic surveys were conducted in selected areas of the provinces of Havana and Mayabeque, from February to May 2009. Five leaflets were taken from each of the six plants per sampling selected from the eigth samplings conducted. Samples were transported to the Entomology Laboratory of the National Center for Agricultural Health (CENSA), where they examined were and the parasitized scale insects isolated in Petri dishes until emergence of adult parasitoids. These were mounted on microscope slides in Hoyer's medium and classified by using appropriate taxonomic keys. The main pest species detected were Aspidiotus destructor Signoret (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Eucalymnatus tessellatus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and Tetraleurodes sp. The parasitoid complex was comprised of chalcids species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) such as Pseudhomalopoda prima Girault (Encyrtidae) Aphytis chrysomphali Mercet (Aphelinidae), three species of Encarsia (Aphelinidae), Metaphycus stanleyi (Compere) (Encyrtidae) and the genera Signiphora Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) and Marietta Motschulski (Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), both recognized hyperparasitoids through other species that primarily parasitize diaspidids scales. A better understanding of the association between species of scale insects, their parasites and host plants allow us to expand the possibilities of using biological control in orchards, with the development of environmentally-friendly crop management programs.

Keywords : Cocos nucifera; coccids; chalcids parasitoids; biological control; urban agroecosistems.

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