Identification and population fluctuation of the leaf miner Liriomyza trifolii in jalapeño pepper in norther Sinaloa.

Abstract

Mexico is one of the main producers of pepper. Near 140,000 ha are sown per year and the production rises to 1’180,000 t. In Sinaloa near 17,180 ha/per year are sown, with a production of 488,153 t. this crop is a major source of jobs and economic income. With the results of this research, we identified leaf miner species and their population fluctuation in jalapeño pepper at three locations in the north of Sinaloa. Twenty-nine weekly samplings were done from October 2008 to April 2009. Mines were counted leaflets. Adult fluctuation was determined with yellow fluorescent impact-traps at the height of the crop and another trap was set at 1.70 m. Liriomyza trifolli (Burgues) was determined taxonomically by using specialized keys. Even though the occurrence of the agromizid miner was observed in flowers and fruits stages of jalapeño pepper plants at the three locations, it was higher in Guasave compared to Ahome and El Fuerte locations. More adult agromizids were observed on the variable high traps than on the 1.70 high ones