WASMANNIA SPP. (HYM., FORMICIDAE) AND INSECT DAMAGES TO COCOA IN BRAZILIAN FARMS

Diagnostic insect damage to cocoa tree leaves and fruits were compared in situations with and without the presence of the little fire ants, Wasmannia auropunctata and the closely related and sympatric W. cf roc hai. No significant differences in thrips, lepidopteran, or chrysomeli d beetle damage to fruits, or to young and old leaves, were associated with these ants. However, significant increases of pseudococcids Plan ococcus citrii, associated with areas dominated by W. auropunctata, an d to a lesser degree with W. cf rochai, were present. W. auropunctata has been reported to be a canopy mosaic dominant in cocoa farms, but t he lack of reduced herbivore incidences and its lack of spatial perman ence do not support favoring its populations for the management of phy tophagous insect control.