Author : Rabara, Roel C.; Sumalde, Augusto C.; Villegas, Violeta N.

Summary : Two areas in Mainit and Tranca, Bay, Laguna planted to papaya were monitored for insects which could be vectors of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) using yellow pan traps. Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae), treehoppers (Homoptera: Membracidae) psyllids (Homoptera: Psyllidae) and leafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) predominated in Mainit area. The same insects groups, with addition of whiteflies, were also found predominant in Tranca. Among these insects, only aphids were confirmed vectors of PRSV. Aphid population in Mainit was low in June and reached its peak in August. The same trend was observed in Tranca. The trend in population levels can be used as guide in timing the planting of papaya to avoid infection of PRSV.