Population dynamics of Brevipalpus sp., vector of citrus leprosis in San Juan Opico, department of La Libertad, El Salvador

Abstract

This study began in october 2019 and ended in february 2021, in the municipality of San Juan Opico, department of La Libertad. The objective was to determine the population dynamics of the biological stages of the Brevipalpus spp mite associated with citrus leprosis. The samplings were carried out in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata) trees, where the canopy of the trees was divided into four sections, of which four leaves and fruits were divided. The variables taken in the field where the temperature, the relative humidity and the average precipitation of the place. The samples were processed in the laboratory, using the stereoscope. To be able to mount and preserve the mites, the Hoyer medium was used and for identification it was necessary to send the samples to the Communication and Taxonomic Services Unit of the USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory, United States. For data analysis, Pearson’s correlation was used, relating environmental factors, relative humidity, temperature, in addition; a descriptive analysis, summary tables, simple linear regression analysis. In the results there is a correlation between the temperature variable and the averages of mites and averages of eggs, between the months of october 2019 to february 2020, the rainy and dry season of the year, there is a higher population density of eggs and mites, with a density In addition, the following important mite species were found on average, Brevipalpus californicus, Brevipalpus yothersi, Proprioseiopsis sp., Suidasia nesbitti.