Evaluation of cocoa mirid (Distantiella theobroma Dist. and Sahlbergella singularis Hagl.) control practices in Cte dIvoire

Rapid pod damage evaluations were performed in four cocoa producing regions in Cote d’Ivoire to assess the severity and regional variability of the mirid pest problem. We further tested the impact of three insecticide products at two different dosages, applied at two different periods on cocoa pod production and mirid infestation on sixty cocoa farms. It was found that in Cote d’Ivoire, cocoa production and mirid infestation levels vary greatly between and within regions. All applied insecticide products were effective, but combinations of products, dosages and application timings were found which resulted in significantly higher amounts of harvestable cocoa pods. Key words: Distantiella theobroma, neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, Sahlbergella singularis, Theobroma cacao L.