Factors such as fertilization, allelochemicals, trichomes, weather, and natural enemies can influence pest populations. Thus,
it is necessary to understand the factors that predispose vegetable species to pests and the role of polyculture, crop rotation,
and neighboring plants. The objective of this research was to study the hosting capacity for pests of
Abelmoschus esculentus
(L.),
Brassica oleracea
L. vars.
acephala and
capitata,
Capsicum annuum
L.,
Cucurbita moschata
(Duchesne),
Cucurbita
maxima
Duchesne and
Cucumis sativus
L.,
Lycopersicon esculentum
Mill.,
Solanum gilo
Raddi and
Solanum melongena
L., and
Phaseolus vulgaris
L. The higher density of
Bemisia tabaci
(Genn.) adults on
C. sativus can be due to the higher
amount of pentacosane and octacosane in this plant. The occurrence of
Brevicoryne brassicae
(L.) only in
Brassica spp. can
be accounted for by the nonacosane of these plants. The low trichome density and greater palmitic acid level can explain
the greatest damage by
Aphis gossypii
Glover in
A. esculentum. Empoasca sp. was more frequent in
P. vulgaris followed
by
A. esculentum, which are plants with lower K content.
Solanum melongena
was attacked more by
Hydrangea similis
(Walker) and
Epitrix sp. perhaps because of higher palmitic acid and 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic methyl ester concentrations in
their leaves.
Frankliniella sp. exhibited more damage in
C. sativus probably owing to higher pentacosane and octacosane in
its leaves.
Sistena sp. was more frequent in
C. maxima and had higher octadecane levels and trichome density. The presence
of ∞-humulene and hexacosane can explain the damage by
Tuta absoluta
(Meyrick) on
L. esculentum.
