Faunal survey of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella, parasitoids in Puerto Rico

Abstract

The coffee leaf miner (CLM), Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Méneville, is the worst coffee pest in Puerto Rico. Damage by this insect can reduce yields up to 40%. In Puerto Rico the use of chemical insecticides is the main control tactics while little attention has been given to the use of CLM natural enemies. Little is known about CLM endemic parasitoids. In an attempt to obtain more information about CLM parasitoids, a faunal survey throughout the coffee region of Puerto Rico was done in 1985 and 1986. In the 1985 survey the highest parasitism percentage (66.7) was obtained on the Bennazar farm at Bo. Yahuecas, Adjuntas, followed by Hacienda Balear at Bo. Guayo, Adjuntas, and Roman's farm at Bo. Espino Ceiba, Lares, with 42.9 and 36,4% of parasitism, respectively. In the 1986 survey the highest parasitism percentage (54.0%) was obtained at Bo. Toro Negro, Villalba followed by Bo. Carmelita, Ponce and Bo. Collores, Juana Díaz, with 47.8 and 47.0% of parasitism, respectively. No correlation was obtained between elevation and parasitism percentage. Five Eulophidae, Cirrospiloideus sp., Zagrammosoma sp., Horismenus sp., Achrysonocharoides sp., Chrysonotomyia sp., and a Braconid, Mirax insularis Musesebeck, were collected. The Braconid parasitoid, Mirax insularis, imported from Guadeloupe, West Indies, to Puerto Rico in 1937 and liberated at Lares and Quebradillas, was collected by the author over the entire coffee areas. The highest percentage of parasitism was recorded for Achrysonocharoides sp., (33.1%) followed by M. insularis (32.4%). The Eulophidae complex represents 67.6% of the total parasitoid population. The total percentage of CLM parasitism for the coffee area surveyed was 23.5% for 1985 and 19.5% for 1986.