Influence of climatic variables on the population dynamics of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in commercial Valencia orange orchards in Querétaro, Mexico

Abstract

Valencia orange production is affected by Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908 in the Concá Valley, Arroyo Seco, Querétaro, Mexico. To better understand this problem, the temporal abundance of D. citri was determined and correlated with climatic variables in the crop. The study was carried out between 2019 and 2022. To monitor D. citri adults, 20 yellow sticky traps were used per orchard, which were replaced, and the number of adults was recorded every 14 days. D. citri adult counts were carried out in the CIDAF-UAQ Natural Resources Management and Conservation laboratory. Climatic variables were recorded in each orchard using a Hobbo Data Logger. The means of captured adults were analyzed with the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, then the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was applied, additionally a generalized linear mixed model was performed. The spatial autocorrelation of abundance in the orchards was carried out using the Morán index to observe the relationship between abundance and climatic factors the Kernel distribution and a cross-correlation analysis were performed. All statistical analyses were performed in R software, version 4.3.1. The results confirmed the presence of D. citri in the Concá Valley during the four years of the study. There was no consistent population fluctuation pattern each year, the distribution of insects in the orchards is random, with significant differences between them, the abundance of D citri is variable in time scale and a correlation was observed between climatic factors, especially with temperature and wind speed. The importance of considering microclimatic factors of the site to apply more effective management plans for D. citri is highlighted.