Incidence evaluation of <i>Crypticerya multicicatrices</i> and <i>Maconellicoccus hirsutus</i> in Colombian Seaflower Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

An evaluation of the incidence of Crypticerya multi cicatrices and Maconellicoccus hirsutus in Colombian Seaflower Biosphere Reserve in San Andrés, Providence and Santa Catalina islands, from mid-August to mid-November 2012 was made. 38 locations were sampled, and 34% of sites tested show an incidence of C. multicicatrices oscillating between a range of 80%-100%, 24% with 40%-80% of incidence, 18% between 10%-40% and 24% with a range of 0%-10%. The occurrence of M. hirsutus fluctuated between 0.5% and 17%. There were seven genera of ants associated C. multicicatrices and 94 hosts of this agriculturally important insect and we found high incidence of associated sooty mold in C. multicicatrices hosts. Observations also contained some developmental stages of C. multicatrices .