Population dynamic of guava psyllid Triozoida limbata (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Londrina Parana, Brazil

Abstract

The Psyllidae are sap-suckers insects, highly host and food specific, found mainly in sprouts, and are considered important guava pests. Large populations of these insects can be hazardous, since they cause plant weakness by the toxic action of the saliva injected during their feeding process. The objective of this work was to verify the population fluctuation of the psyllidae Trizoida limbata in guava trees in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. The monitoring of an adult T.limbata population was carried out in areas of wild guava trees, using 10 yellow adhesive traps, 30 m far from each other. Collection took place monthly from March 2002 to May 2003. T.limbata populations were found during every month of the year, reaching their peak in October. Average and maximum temperatures showed a significant correlation with the psyllidae population fluctuation, affecting it positively. Heavy rain periods and low temperatures were not restricting, but they caused a reduction in population