Abstract
Introduction – Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the second most important tropical fruit produced worldwide. In Reunion Island, serious losses are the result of damage caused by Orthops palus (Taylor, 1947) (Heteroptera, Miridae). This bug sucks the sap of mango inflorescences, causing them to dry out. However, little is known about this pest and the other mirid species present in mango orchards. The aim of the present study was to characterize the mirid species assemblages in mango orchards in Reunion Island and to design tools for the taxonomic identification and for the recognition of these species in the field. Materials and methods – Surveys were conducted in 14 mango orchards (var. Jose and Cogshall) between 2012 and 2014. Observations were made in the canopy and in ground cover. The individuals collected were identified to species level. Results and discussion – Thirteen species were inventoried of the 1695 individuals collected and identified. Orthops palus was the dominant species on mango (more than 80% of the individuals collected) and the only species present in significant numbers on inflorescences. In addition, three mirid identification and recognition tools were implemented: a taxonomic identification key to species level; Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of 12 of 13 catalogued species, published on GenBank and available for molecular identification of species; a flyer for mirid recognition in the field designed for farmers. Conclusion – These results and tools help assess mirid diversity in mango orchards and to develop agroecological management of O. palus populations. (Resume d'auteur)
Highlights
Mirids (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha), or plant bugs, are one of the most diverse and species-rich families of insects, with approximately 11,000 species described to date (Cassis and Schuh, 2012)
This study aims to improve knowledge on mango orchard mirids, with the aim of developing agroecological management of their populations
The first aim of the study was to inventory and characterize mirid assemblages in mango orchards and to ascertain if O. palus is the only mirid species to be a pest of mango inflorescences during the flowering season
Summary
Mirids (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha), or plant bugs, are one of the most diverse and species-rich families of insects, with approximately 11,000 species described to date (Cassis and Schuh, 2012). They are present in all major biogeographic regions of the world (Schuh, 1995, 2008) and abundant in a variety of habitats (Ehanno, 1958). Considered as the most important mango pest in Reunion Island, this species has been recognized as Orthops palus (Atiama et al, 2016) This pest is controlled by chemical treatments which give unsatisfactory results (Deguine et al, 2014). This study will aid in characterizing the mirid fauna in Reunion Island
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