Objectives:

The mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae and Putoidae) present in roots of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and herbaceous plants associated to this crop were studied in this research.

Scope:

This research was carried out in Sandoná, Consacá, La Union, San Pablo and San José de Albán, municipalities of the Department of Nariño.

Methodology:

A total of 114 samples were collected from roots of coffee and 17 species of herbaceous plants associated with this crop, belonging to the botanical families Asclepidaceae, Asteraceae, Commelinaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Plantaginaceae, Polygonaceae and Solanaceae. The specimens were collected manually in roots of plants that presented some symptomatology such as chlorosis and weakening associated with the attack of these insects. The taxonomic identification was made from specimens placed in microscope slides after different processes based on the comparison of the external morphology of the adult female with de taxonomic codes established for the group.

Main results:

Two species belonging to the genus Puto Signoret (Putoidae family) and Dysmicoccus Ferris (Pseudococcidae family) were identified for the first time in coffee crops in Nariño.

Conclusion:

This information is important to be incorporated into integrated pest management plans in coffee producing areas in Nariño and in Colombia. The knowledge in the distribution of the species of mealybugs of coffee in the country is enriched with this work.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )