SUCKING INSECTS DAMAGING JOJOBA, SIMMONDSIA-CHINENSIS (LINK) SCHNEIDER, AND THEIR NATURAL ENEMIES, IN THE NORTH CENTRAL AND CENTRAL REGIONS OF CHILE

This article reports the results of a periodical survey of sap-sucking insects of jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider] at five locations in the North Central and Central regions of Chile and describes their damage to the plants. The diaspidid Aspidiotus nerii Bouche, which was commonly found in two of the locations (Casablanca, near Valparaiso, and Curacavi, near Santiago) was potentially the most severe pest of the crop, as it damages the fruits directly. Next in importance as pests, because of their reproductive potential, were the aphids Aphis craccivora Koch and Myzus persicae Sulzer, which were found on leaves and young shoots, in Casablanca, Curacavi, and Hacienda Camarones (IV region). Other species of certain importance because of their numbers were the pentatomid Acledra albocostata (Spinola) and the cicadellid Balclutha sp. (both common in Casablanca and Curacavi). When ovipositing, the cicadid Tettigades chilensis Arm. & Serv. (collected in Las Cardas, in the IV region), was found to produce deep wounds with the oviscapt on branches, which affected their vascular system. The scelionid micro-hymenopteran Trissolcus scuticarinatus Costa Lima was found parasitizing eggs of hemipterans throughout the locations studied. Except in Casablanca, the predatory activity on aphids of the coccinellids Eriopis connexa Germ., Hippodamia variegata Guer., and Scymnus bicolor Goeze was observed in all locations surveyed, including Agua Amarilla, a southern location in the IV region.