Abundance and Dynamics of the Main Heteroptera Pests of Cocoa Tree in the Orchards of the Department of Méagui (South-West, Côte d’Ivoire)

The capsids Sahlbergella singularis and Distantiella theobromae, the cocoa mosquito Helopeltis sp., and the green bug Bathycoelia thalassina are the main Heteroptera pests causing immense damage in cocoa fields in the department of Méagui, the main cocoa producing area of Côte d’Ivoire. The actual study was conducted to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of these pests in this department. From May 2020 to April 2021, the pest abundance and population dynamics were recorded once a month in seven selected cocoa farms in the localities of Yaodankro and Sérigbangan. Tarping and systematic search methods were used. The results indicated that the three types of insect pests are present and the abundance rates ranging from 20.83% to 42.22% from 15 910 individuals recorded. Capsids were more abundant in the Sérigbangan orchards than in those of Yaodankro, while the cocoa mosquito and the green bug were more abundant in Yaodankro than in Sérigbangan. The number of individuals remained relatively high throughout the year except in May-June (months of intense rainfall) where capsid and cocoa mosquito populations were less abundant. Peak populations occurred during the dry season (July, August, February, and March-April) and during the low/medium rainfall season (September and November). The cocoa mosquito and the green bug once considered minor pests were shown to be major pests.