#cocoa tree

Mealybugs are known vectors of Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV). Understanding the interactions between these insects and climatic factors is essential for the development of effective control strategies. The objective of this study is to determine the spatio-temporal distribution of mealybugs in relation to climatic variables. Mealybug populations were monitored within a one-hectare (1 ha) experimental plot, subdivided into five (5) quadrats measuring 20 m × 20 m each. Observations were conducted on the number of mealybugs present on each tree within the different quadrats. Climatic data, including relative humidity and temperature, were recorded monthly over a two-year period, from January 2018 to December 2019. Rainfall and wind speed data were obtained from the weather station of the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry. Throughout the two-year study period, mealybugs were present year-round. The highest population densities were observed in January and April, with a peak in April. Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between mealybug populations and temperature (r = 0.37), relative humidity (r = –0.50), and wind speed (r = 0.47), all with p < 0.05. No significant correlation was found between rainfall and mealybug fluctuations (r = –0.06; p = 0.66). Spatial analysis indicated heterogeneous distribution of mealybugs across the different plots. These findings provide a solid scientific foundation for the development of predictive models and the implementation of targeted, sustainable integrated pest management strategies to the agroclimatic conditions of Côte d’Ivoire.