Abstract

MALDONADO ZAMORA, Fátima Iraís et al. Spatial distribution of thrips in avocado in Coatepec Harinas, State of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.4, pp.845-856. ISSN 2007-0934.

The avocado is one of the perennial crops of major economic importance in Mexico, like any other crop, affected by pests and diseases that cause economic and environmental damage. One of the major insect that attacks the crop is Frankliniella occidentalis, these injured avocado leaves and fruit as a result of feeding in the layers of cells of the epidermis, creating areas or pale brown. The lesions may be caused entry points of pathogenic microorganisms. In fruits, the insects come to cause scars or marks, reducing its market value, can cause birth defects in fruit by causing alterations in the newly formed shell fruits, flowers inhibit fertilization and cause them to fall. The objective was to determine the spatial distribution of populations of thrips and mapping the density of three plots four hectares located in the municipality of Coatepec Harinas through the application of geostatistical analysis. The results showed that populations of thrips are grouped into aggregation centers and conform to spherical models mostly. In addition to this, it was determined the area infested by the insect, which will accurately direct control measures in the areas with the largest number of insects through density maps.

Keywords : Frankliniella occidentalis; areas of infestation; avocado; Coatepec Harinas; geostatistical analysis.