BENEFICIAL ARTHROPODS ASSOCIATED WITH COCONUT (Cocos nucifera L.) AGROECOSYSTEM IN COSTA ABAJO, COLON

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to identify beneficial arthropods (predators and parasitoids), associated with the coconut agroecosystem in Costa Abajo, Colón. The study area was surveyed, corresponding to the towns of Miguel de la Borda (UTM 17 P 0576645, 1011988), Gobea (UTM 17 P 0583620, 1014433) and Río Indio (UTM 17 P 0590656, 1016446), belonging to the district of Donoso, province of Colón. Forty palm trees were selected (20 asymptomatic and 20 with symptoms of the disease known as ‘Porroca’), in which systematic sampling was carried out in a radius of 5 m around each plant, using an entomological network. The collected specimens were preserved in vials with 70% ethanol for later observation and identification in the laboratory. Additionally, a Chi² test was performed to determine if there is a relationship between the health condition of the plant and the presence of beneficial arthropod taxa, with 95% confidence. The results obtained indicated that, of the identified arthropods, 49% correspond to the Order Hymenoptera, highlighting parasitoids from the Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Chalcididae and Tiphiidae families; 34% are represented by spiders, being the genera Gasteracantha, Nephila and Argiope the most common; and the remaining 17% comprises orders such as Odonata, Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Diptera. The results of the Chi² test reflected that there is no relationship between the health status of the plant and the presence of beneficial arthropod taxa. In conclusion, nine predatory arthropod taxa and five parasitoids were identified, associated with the coconut agroecosystem on the Costa Abajo de Colón, which contribute to the natural control of pest species and vectors.