The cultivation of camu-camu Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.) Mc Vaugh has presented countless phytosanitary problems, among them, Tuthillia cognata Hodkinson et al. (Hemiptera: Homoptera, Psyllidae), which often is noticed as a secondary pest. This study aimed to determine the level and the intensity of infestation (%) for T. cognata, as well as to study the biological cycle and behavioural aspects of T. cognata, in experimental plantation of camu-camu. 17 and 14 specimens from plantation I and II, respectively, were randomly selected. The arithmetic average, the standard deviation, the variance and the total amplitude were calculated for each studied variable. A level of infestation of 82% (plantation I) and 57% (plantation II), an intensity of infestation of 94% (plantation I) and 75% (plantation II) and an average number of six nymphs/leaf in each plantation were found, indicating that T. cognata is one of the key pest on this culture. Adults of Chrysoperla sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and nymphs of Reduviidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), which can to be considered as probable biological control agents for T. cognata, were found in the plantations.
Camu-camu; Myrciaria dubia; Tuthillia cognata; Psyllidae; pest