Abstract

GARCIA-GONZALEZ, Juan Carlos et al. Biotic, abiotic and agronomic factors that affect adult populations of spittlebug (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in sugar cane crops in Veracruz, México. Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2017, vol.33, n.3, pp.508-517. ISSN 2448-8445.

High populations of the spittlebug (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) may reduce yields on sugar cane. This research was aimed to quantify the effect of biotic, abiotic and agronomic factors on adult populations of the spittlebugs. Data collected was related to the number of adults captured in traps, previous-year infestation level of the sampling plot, nymph counts, weed coverage within and on the border of the plots, sampling time, insecticide and entomopathogen applications, precipitation and temperature. Fifteen plots were sampled from July 2 to October 15, 2014 in Veracruz, Mexico. The data was analyzed as a linear mixed model. Most of the captured adults (98%) were Aeneolamia contigua (Walker, 1851). The analysis showed the following significant effects: a positive relationship between adult populations and spittlebug nymphs and previous-year infestation, and a direct relationship between within-plot weed coverage and spittlebug adult populations. Weed coverage on the borders showed fluctuating effects and had not significant effect on adult populations. Temperature had a positive, significant effect as well, but precipitation and sampling time did not affect adult populations. Results are discussed as related to preventive spittlebug management.

Keywords : Sugarcane; Aeneolamia spp.; Prosapia sp.; linear mixed model.

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