Spatial Distribution of Eggs of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Trizoidae) in Tomatillo Using Geostatistical Techniques

Abstract  The tomatillo, Physalis ixocarpa Brotero, is an important vegetable in central Mexico but production is limited by the psyllid pest Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Trizoidae). This study was undertaken in 2016 to generate maps of the spatial distribution of B. cockerelli in the municipalities of Luvianos, Jocotitlan, and Ixtlahuaca in the State of Mexico to support implementation of integrated pest management strategies to improve tomatillo production. Geostatistical analysis was performed to estimate the experimental semivariogram and fitted to a theoretical model with the program Variowin 2.2. All generated models were validated. It was determined that for the three municipalities evaluated, 29 semivariograms were the adjusted spherical model, four were the Gaussian model, and three were the exponential model. Aggregation maps of the pest were evaluated in all plots, and areas were identified with the highest incidence of the pest, thus allowing initiation of control measures at sele...