Insect occurrence and losses due to phytophagous species in the amaranth Amaranthus hypocondriacus L. crop in Puebla, Mexico

  1. García, A.A. 2
  2. Huato, M.A.D. 2
  3. Lara, M.H. 2
  4. Sáenz-de-Cabezón, F.J. 1
  5. Pérez-Moreno, I. 1
  6. Marco-Mancebón, V. 1
  7. López-Olguín, J.F. 2
  1. 1 Universidad de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

  2. 2 Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
    info

    Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla

    Heróica Puebla de Zaragoza, México

    ROR https://ror.org/03p2z7827

Revista:
AfrIcan Journal of Agricultural Research

ISSN: 1991-637X

Año de publicación: 2011

Volumen: 6

Número: 27

Páginas: 5924-5929

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.5897/AJAR11.1074 SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-82455192795 WoS: WOS:000298505100016 GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Otras publicaciones en: AfrIcan Journal of Agricultural Research

Resumen

A field survey for insects associated with amaranth Amaranthus hypocondriacus L. (Amaranthaceae) was conducted in the semiarid Region Mixteca of Puebla State in Mexico. Also, the losses to the crop caused by the phytophagous species were assessed. Samples were collected every fifteen days during one year in five plots to obtain a representation of the phytophagous and beneficial insects, and of the percentages of plants infested with the principal phytophagous insects. The species that were observed causing considerable damage to the crop were Hypolixus truncatulus Fab. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Pholisora catullus (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) and Phyllophaga ilhuicaminai Morón (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae). Borers infested 92% of the crop, while the white grubs group 45%. Yield losses by general insects without pest control program were 65.5%. Foliage and soil insects reduced the yield to 44.2 and 39.1%, respectively. This is the first report of quantification of losses due to pest insects in the amaranth crop. © 2011 Academic Journals.