Diversidade e dinâmica populacional de ácaros em frutos de coqueiro e descrição de nova espécie de Proctolaelaps

Abstract

Aceria guerreronis Keifer, 1965 (Actinedida: Eriophyidae) is considered an important pest of coconut palm worldwide. Although being an important pest, lack information about the population dynamics of A. guerreronis and natural enemies associated with this pest in Brazil. Thus, this work investigated the population dynamics of A. guerreronis and their predatory mites on coconuts in the coastal counties of Maragogi (States of Alagoas), Itamaracá (State of Pernambuco), and Pitimbu (State of Paraíba). In addition, present the description of a new species, Proctolaelaps (Ascidae) found associated with the pest. The survey was conducted once a month from January to December 2005 collecting 30 coconuts from three different plants on each of these locales. In the laboratory, the coconut’s bracts were taken off and observed under stereomicrocopic, and all mites found were collected, mounted in slides and identified. Based on the data obtained were determined the dynamics of identified species and ecological indices for the species making up the communities. A. guerreronis exhibited greater abundance during December, June and May in Maragogi, Itamaracá and Pitimbu counties, respectively. Among the families of predatory mites, the phytoseiids were the most abundant accounting for 97%, 95% and 82% of individuals collected in Itamaracá, Maragogi and Pitimbu, respectively. And, among phytoseiids, Neoseiulus baraki (Athias-Henriot) was the most abundant, dominant, frequent and regularly collected in all surveyed fields. The new species of Proctolaelaps was characterized based on the absence of the seta z3 and R3, a dilated seta Z5 in the apex, and a spermatodactyl longer than usual in other species.