Aleurodicus juleikae Bondar (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): morphology of the pupa, infested plants and observations on the predisposing factors for colonization in an urban environment Lima, Peru.
Valencia V. L.
Author Affiliation: Sociedad Entomológica del Perú (SEP), Lima, Peru.
IDESIA 33 : 21-30
Abstract : This research was carried out at the Monterrico Chico suburb of Santiago de Surco district, of Lima, Peru. The observations and sample collections took place between January 2006 and October 2014. In a circular area of approximately 3 km in diameter, the populations of Aleurodicus juleikae Bondar were evaluated on sixteen plant species belonging to twelve different plant families. These plant species were growing in parks and gardens of the experimental area. The results allow the identification of A. juleikae in slide preparations and illustrate the variability in the puparia morphology of individuals collected on different species of plants sampled. From sixteen arboreal plant species, in ten cases A. juleikae could complete its biological cycle successfully and generate enormous populations (host plants). In another four of the arboreal plant species, the insect completed its biological cycle but the generated populations were low (occasional host plants). Finally in another two of the arboreal plant species, there was a high intensity of oviposition but no nymphs were observed (non-host plants). Among the factors that contributed to the colonization by A. juleikae, water stress was the most important. According to the obtained results the interaction between the insect and isolated plants is now well known, but how this interaction will proceed in organized orchards where many plants of the same species are growing, is actually unknown.