Abstract

PALACIOS TORRES, Rogelio Enrique et al. Observations on plastic mulching, imidacloprid and tools for the identification of Melanagromyza tomaterae Steyskal (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on Physalis ixocarpa Brot. (Solanaceae). Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.1, pp.61-73. ISSN 2448-8445.

The effect of three plastic film types for soil mulching: 1.5 mm clear plastic mulch, 1.25 mm black/white plastic mulch, and 1.25 mm white/black plastic mulch, and the application of the systemic product Imidacloprid at a dose of 2.0 L/ha over the presence of stem borer Melanagromyza tomaterae in its immature stages, as well as the crop yield response of tomatillo variety CHF-1 was evaluated. Pupae were collected and placed in containers at room temperature to await the emergence of adults, which were subsequently mounted and labeled, and the male genitals were removed for study. The results showed that this insect prefers infesting vigorous plants grown in plastics on the ground, but this preference did not reduce the yield of plants with greater borer presence, as yields with plastic mulch showed a significant statistical difference in contrast to the treatments without plastic mulch. The effectiveness of imidacloprid was observed along 65 days. A photograph of the male genitalia and a taxonomic key are provided for the identification of stem borers in tomatillo.

Keywords : tomatillo; male genitals; Chapingo; The State of Mexico.