Bionomics and Importance of an Emerging Pest Pseudotheraptus devastans (Distant) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) in the Cocoa Orchards of Côte d'Ivoire

The cocoa tree is a very important plant in Côte d'Ivoire (formerly known as Ivory Coast) with a production of 2,15 million tons. In spite of this performance, cocoa production is attacked by several pests of which the emerging ones are Pseudotheraptus devastans (Distant). These insects attack cherelles, pods, gourmands and young shoots. This study aims to locate these pests and determine their importance in the different cocoa production areas. The device used is total randomization. The leaching carried out in the orchard revealed the presence of P.devastans in all the cocoa producing districts. The means were 0,02 ± 0,00 to 2,35 ± 0,38 P. devastans / tree. The districts of Sassandra-Marahoué, Comoé and Montagnes recorded more P.devastans. However, the districts of Bas-Sassandra, Lagunes et Lacs had fewer P.devastans.