Spatial modeling of red spider mite Oligonychus punicae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in avocado crop

Authors

  • Fidel Lara-Vázquez Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Cerrillo Piedras Blancas n/n km 15. Toluca, 50200. Mexico
  • José Francisco Ramírez-Dávila Laboratory of Entomology Research and Technology in Precision Farming, UAEM, Cerrillo Piedras Blancas n/n km 15. Toluca, 50200. México
  • Dulce Karen Figueroa-Figueroa Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Cerrillo Piedras Blancas n/n km 15. Toluca, 50200. Mexico
  • Atenas Tapia-Rodríguez Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Cerrillo Piedras Blancas n/n km 15. Toluca, 50200. Mexico
  • Andrés González-Huerta Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Cerrillo Piedras Blancas n/n km 15. Toluca, 50200. Mexico

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a rising concern in society to produce quality food in a sustainable manner. New alternatives in pest control have been researched to help mitigate the environmental impact. In traditional agriculture, pesticides are applied uniformly, without considering spatial and temporary variables, but application rates could be adjusted according to the incidence with the assistance of distribution maps; thus, contributing to improve environmental balance and production costs. Avocado (Persea americana Mill.; Lauraceae) generates huge economic benefits in the localities where it is grown. Red spider mite (Oligonychus punicae Hirst.; Acari: Tetranychidae) is among the main pests that attack this crop. It causes damage to the epidermis of the leaves in such a way that the injured areas discolor and the edges of the leaves are deformed as a result of the removal of the cellular content from the tissues. Therefore, the objective of the present work was the determination of the spatial pattern of this pest, by means of geostatistics and spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE). The adjusted semivariograms as well as the indices show that the red spider mite is distributed in aggregations. The generated maps showing the infested surface will permit pest management programs to direct control measures to the areas with the highest incidence, resulting in a lower level of economic damage.

 

Resumen

En los últimos años ha aumentado la preocupación de la sociedad por producir alimentos de calidad de forma sostenible. Se han investigado nuevas alternativas en el control de plagas para ayudar a mitigar el impacto ambiental. En la agricultura tradicional, los plaguicidas se aplican de manera uniforme, sin tener en cuenta variables espaciales y temporales, pero las dosis de aplicación podrían ajustarse en función de la incidencia con la ayuda de mapas de distribución; contribuyendo así a mejorar el equilibrio medioambiental y los costes de producción. El aguacate (Persea americana Mill.; Lauraceae) genera enormes beneficios económicos en las localidades donde se cultiva. La araña roja (Oligonychus punicae Hirst.; Acari: Tetranychidae) es una de las principales plagas que atacan a este cultivo. Provoca daños en la epidermis de las hojas de tal forma que las zonas lesionadas se decoloran y los bordes de las hojas se deforman como consecuencia de la eliminación del contenido celular de los tejidos. Por ello, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue la determinación del patrón espacial de esta plaga, mediante geoestadística y análisis espacial por índices de distancia (SADIE). Los semivariogramas ajustados así como lo índice muestran que la araña roja se distribuye en agregaciones. Los mapas generados mostrando la superficie infestada permitirán a los programas de control de plagas dirigir las medidas de control a las zonas con mayor incidencia, lo que redundará en un menor nivel de daños económicos.

Key Words: mites; geostatistics; kriging; density maps; SADIE

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Published

2023-12-27

Issue

Vol. 106, No. 4 (December 2023)

Section

Research Papers

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