SPATIAL MODELING OF RED SPIDER MITE Oligonychus punica (ACARI: TETRANYCIDAE) IN AVOCADO CROP

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a rising concern in society to produce quality food in a sustainable manner that is the reason new alternatives in pest control have been researched so they help mitigate the environmental impact. In traditional agriculture, pesticides are applied uniformly, without considering spatial and temporary variables, doses can be focused according to the incidence with the help of maps; thus contributing to improve environmental balance and production costs. Among these crops, avocado (Persea americana) generates huge economic benefits in the localities where this crop exists. Among the main pests that attack this crop is found red spider mite (Oligonychus punicae), which causes damage to the epidermis of the leaves in such a way that the injured areas discolor and the edges of the leaves are deformed as a result of the removal of the cellular content from the tissues. Therefore the objective of the present work was the determination of the spatial pattern this pest has, by means of Geostatistics and SADIE indices. The results show that red spider mite is distributed in aggregation clusters and conform to Gaussian and Spherical models. Also, the infested surface was determined through maps, with which control programs can be carried out directing control measures to the areas with the highest incidence.