Development of conventional sampling plans for egg masses and nymphs of citrus blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

The citrus blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an important pest in orange crops. A conventional sampling plan is the first step in generating integrated pest management programs. However, there are currently no sampling plans defined for A. woglumi. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop conventional sampling plans for egg masses and nymphs of A. woglumi in orange orchards. For that purpose, the densities of egg masses and nymphs were evaluated in commercial orchards to determine the best sampling unit, the required number of samples, and the time and cost of the sampling plan. The third most basal leaf of the branch was the best sampling unit for egg masses, while the second most basal leaf was the ideal site for sampling A. woglumi nymphs. The sampling plans developed are composed of 54 samples for egg masses and 35 samples for nymphs. These plans do not require long sampling times (less than 1 h) and cost less than US$ 3. Thus, the sampling plans developed allow quick and efficient decision-making.