Spatial Distribution of Tibraca limbativentris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Babassou Palms

The babassou plant (Attalea speciosa Mart. Ex. Spreng, Arecaceae) is an important palm tree in the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. This main arboreal component extensive geographical areas including agricultural areas. However, limited research studies exist on its role as alternative pest host this region. study investigated occurrence Tibraca limbativentris Stal (1860) young trees, effect abiotic factors (temperature, solar radiation and rainfall) number T. adults postures, insect’s spatial arrangement during rice crop off-season. team inspected plants a monthly basis 2012 2013 to collect quantify postures adults. They collected total 1418 live adults, 13 dead ten limbativentris. There was significant difference between first other collections carried out 2013. Abiotic rainfall, temperature radiation, had no influence (alive dead) postures. semivariogram adjusted Gaussian model showed that 2013, distribution living aggregate pattern, highly dependent season. there pure nugget effect. These results imply are hosts.