EVALUACIÓN DE HONGOS Y NEMATODOS ENTOMOPATÓGENOS PARA EL CONTROL DE Dictyla monotropidia HEMIPTERA: TINGIDAE

The main problem of the coffee walnut tree, Cordia alliodora, is caused by the lace bug, Dictyla monotropidia. This insect feeds on the leaves and produces necrosis and premature leaf fall. The largest populations of this insect are found in dry periods, when more than 1,700 insects can be found in the aerial part and 246 on the ground leaves. Therefore, trees sprays of chemical or biological insecticides are required to control this population. This research work aimed to evaluate the effect of fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes in controlling D. monotropidia under laboratory conditions. The treatments consisted of three fungal genera and two nematodes genera commercial products, which were sprayed in a Potter tower. The percentage mortality was evaluated at a constant temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 67.5 ± 2.5%. There were significant differences between treatments; Mycotrol ® SE, Brocaril ® WP and NemaX-S ® products caused the highest mortality rates at five days after the spraying. The effect of NemaX-S ® stands out since mortality was recorded three days after spraying the Steinernema sp. nematode, the average mortality was significantly different from the controls, indicating a rapid action on D. monotropidia. The results provide three biological options to best use in an integrated pest management program to control D. monotropidia.