Identification, diversity, and temporal fluctuation of insects associated with avocado (Persea americana Mill), Carazo 2019

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to identify the main families of insects associated with avocados, as well as to calculate the diversity, abundance, richness, and population fluctuation of these. It was carried out from July to November 2019, on four avocado farms in Carazo. For the collection of insects, a trapping system was used, wherein each farm, it was placed free fall traps or Pitfall Trap, plastic containers of one gallon capacity with soap and molasses, and traps with alcoholic attractant, a total of nine traps were placed in three sites per farm, the collection of insects was done every 15 days, identifying the insects found by type of trap. As a result, 60 families of insects associated with the avocado crop were identified, the main ones being: Curculionidae, Nitidulidae, Formicidae, Noctuidae, Scarabaeidae, Bostrichidae, Phoridae, Staphylinidae, Drosophylidae, Apidae, Phycitidae and Calliphoridae. The family with the highest diversity index was Curculionidae, the total abundance of insects associated with the crop was 3560 in the entire sampling period and the highest population peaks for the families Curculionidae and Nitidulidae were found between the months of October and November when the flowering and fruiting of the crop occurs.