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Title: DAMAGE BY TIBRACA LIMBATIVENTRIS (HEMIPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE) TO RICE IN SOUTHWESTERN COLOMBIA

Author
item PANTOJA, ALBERTO
item TRIANA, MONICA - CIAT
item BASTIDAS, HAROLD - CIAT
item GARCIA, CESAR - CIAT
item MEJIA, OLGA - CIAT
item DUQUE, MYRIAM - CIAT

Submitted to: Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2007
Publication Date: 8/20/2007
Citation: Pantoja, A., Triana, M., Bastidas, H., Garcia, C., Mejia, O.I., Duque, M.C. 2007. Damage by Tibraca limbativentris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to rice in Southwestern Colombia. Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico. 91:11-18.

Interpretive Summary: VTibraca limbativentris Stall (TL) is considered an important rice pest in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. In Latin America Tibraca spp. is probably the most challenging insect group for which to develop action thresholds (AT). Both adult and nymphs Tibraca spp. feeds on plants causing a condition known as whiteheads and deadharts. In spite of the reported agricultural significance of stink bugs in the region, little data is available on the economic importance and damage functions of T. limbativentis to rice. In Colombia and Venezuela farmers apply insecticide for Tibraca spp. control, but action thresholds are based on the presence of white panicles an not on insect density. However the presence of whiteheads in the field is a symptom of damage that occurred earlier, during the filling state of grain development, and is not a reliable indicator of insect presence or population density. Information on the effect of insect density on yield and damage is of importance in developing action thresholds (AT) and IPM programs. In this work, we report on T. limbativentris effect on yield reductions to irrigated rice in Southwestern Colombia. Our results indicate that high TL densities (8 and 25 TL/10 sweeps for 30 and 40 old plans respectively) are required to cause yield reductions to rice if the damage occurs to 40 day old plants. Those densities were not seen in the Jamundi and Ginebra areas during the years 1989-1992, suggesting that this pest will rarely reach damaging levels in the area of study. The lack of yield reduction on 15 and 20 day old plants indicates that sampling for TL should be focused on 25 to 40 day old plants. This information will save scouting time as farmers and scouts have a precise time and site to survey for this pest.

Technical Abstract: Action thresholds for Tibraca limbativentris Stall (TL) on rice were calculated to be 8.8 and 25.8 TL/10 sweep nets for 30 and 40 day old plants respectively. Population dynamics of TL in two localities of Valle del Cauca Colombia, indicates a density of 1.2 TL/ sweep (12 TL/10 sweeps). Densities equal to the calculated action thresholds have not been observed in rice fields in Valle del Cauca, Colombia during the study period. Infestation to 15 or 20 day old plants do not cause yield reductions, suggesting that scouting for this pest should be concentrated on 25 to 40 day old plants.