Diagnóstico de insectos plagas en plantas jóvenes de balsa (Ochroma pyramidale Urb.) en la parroquia Majúa, cantón Esmeraldas

Abstract

The raft is a fast-growing forest species and is cultivated in provinces of the Litoral or Coastal region, where some pest insects that affect wood production are reported, however, there are no available reports of pest insects in the province of Esmeraldas. Therefore, it was proposed to determine the pest insects in a young balsa plantation established in the Majua parish, Esmeralda’s canton. A zigzag sampling was carried out and direct observation and recording of damage and causal agents was carried out every week along with the installation of flight intersection traps. The collected insects were taken to the Entomology laboratory of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering for review and identification. The incidence of damage from pest insects was evaluated and the insects associated with the plantation were determined. Foliage damage caused by the cutter ant (Atta sp.) was recorded with a damage incidence of 36.1%, and a lepidopteran larva with a 22.9% incidence. The damage of these pest insects was higher in the rainy season, while in the dry season its incidence was lower. Perforations with exudations were observed in the stem due to the attack of the rockfish Coptoborus ochromactonus with a 23% incidence of damage. Its presence was registered in months of the rainy season, but its incidence increased in the months of the dry season. In the young balsa plantation, a diversity of insects was found, including some that cause primary damage and others with secondary action. Of the total number of individuals, 7 orders were found, of which the most abundant was the order Coleoptera followed by the order Hymenoptera. The young balsa plantation presents damage to both the foliage and the stem and its incidence varies according to the climatic period.