Seasonal abundance of insect vectors of viruses in two green pepper (Capsicum annum   L.)ecosystems of the Coquimbo Region , Chile

The seasonal fluctuation of insect vectors of viruses associated with green peppers (Capsicum annum L.)was studied for two seasons in two representative green pepper growing locations in the Coquimbo Region of Chile: Cerrillos de Tamaya (Limarí) (30°29' S lat; 71°16' W long) and Pan de Azúcar (Elqui) (29°55' S lat; 71°14' W long). The flight activity of aphids peaked in the Spring (August-November). Myzus persicae Sulzer and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) were the only aphid species that colonized green pepper plants. Colonization time of the aphids was coincident with the period of maximum captures in the Moericke traps. Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) was the main thrips species associated with green peppers; its maximum populations in green pepper flowers were reached between December and January. Aphid and thrips population densities varied greatly between locations and seasons. These differences were likely caused by surrounding alternative hosts, temperature effects, and in the case of aphids, also by natural enemies