Diversity of pests and beneficial insects associated with chayote cultivation in Matagalpa, Nicaragua 2017

Abstract

Chayote (Sechium edule, (Jacq.) Swartz) is a versatile vegetable; roots, stems, leaves, tendrils, seed, fruits and tips of the guides are used. The primary objective of this study was to identify abundance, richness, diversity index, population fluctuation and habit of the main families of insects associated with chayote. The research is qualitative of a non-experimental type, based on the descriptive method, it was carried out in the period from January to May 2017 in Molino Sur and El Caracol communities, Sébaco municipality, department of Matagalpa, in two farms where 12 insect traps, a leaf collection was carried out to extract, identify and classify sucking insects. 65 species of insects and one of arachnids belonging to 46 families of 12 orders were identified, among the main families are: Nitidulidae, Vespidae, Chrysopidae, Forficulidae, Noctuidae, Formicidae, Muscidae and Gryllidae. Insect diversity was estimated using the Simpson index, the Sarsalosa farm has more species abundance by insect families and Las Vegas farm presented the highest diversity. The temporal distribution of the most important families were Nitidulidae, Vespidae, Chrysopidae, Forficulidae and Noctuidae, with polyphages, phylophages, ghouls, rhizophages, zoophages, nectarivores, phytophages, omnivores and saprophages, as the main feeding habits.