Abstract

VALDES-RODRIGUEZ, Ofelia Andrea; PEREZ-VAZQUEZ, Arturo  and  PALACIOS-WASSENAAR, Olivia Margarita. Insect pests in intercropped Ricinus communis and Moringa oleifera in central Veracruz, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.spe11, pp.2233-2239. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v0i11.805.

Moringa oleifera and Ricinus communis are considered crops with commercial potential in the mexican subtropics. However, given their relative novelty, they may face problems with undocumented insect pests. This study presents the major insect threats found in intercropped R. communis and M. oleifera located in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. A total of 296 plants were monitored for a period of two years (2012-2014) from seedling emergence. M. oleifera was affected only during its seedling stage, mainly by Atta mexicana (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which were not observed during the adult stage. R. communis was severely affected by Sagotylus confluens (Say) (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and Corythucha gossypii (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), present during both seedling and adult stages. C. gossypii was present throughout the year and was capable of reducing seed production by over 90%. In the context of commercial plantation, we recommend the establishment of a pest control program during the early stages in M. oleifera and throughout the life of R. communis.

Keywords : Atta mexicana; Corythucha gossypii; Moringa oleifera; Ricinus communis; Sagotylus conf luens; Trichoplusia ni.

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