Dataset for: Distribution of Bactericera cockerelli in Ecuador

A field study was carried out in two important potato producing provinces of Ecuador, Imbabura and Cotopaxi, to: (1) identify distribution and abundance of potato psyllid (PP) Bactericera cockerelli over time, (2) perform molecular characterization and determine potato psyllid haplotype(s), and (3) use the Insect Life Cycle Modeling (ILCYM) software for pest-risk mapping and assessment. The metadata in these databases correspond to the first study objective in the monitoring of Bactericera cockerelli. Farm plots measuring 1000m2 by 1000m2 were selected from each canton/parish per province and evaluated for presence of psyllid eggs, nymphs and adults during two potato farming cycles; the number of evaluations performed were adjusted according to sample size. 20 plants were randomly selected transeptally in the form of an X from each field site per evaluation of psyllid eggs and nymphs respectively, in 15-day intervals. Using a magnifying glass 5X, plants collected for psyllid egg analysis were divided in quadrants and scanned in order, starting at the apex, while six leaves from each of the plants collected for psyllid nymph analysis were used to quantify the number of IV and V stage nymphs. Data collected was registered in the field logbook (data in the “eggs_month_evaluation” sheet and "nymphs_month_evaluation"sheet, respectively). Monitoring of adults was performed using two HORIVER traps allocated in each field, one on the edge and one in the middle. Traps were collected and replaced every 15 days and sent to the DNPV laboratory for identification and quantification; date of evaluation, farm plot location and coordinates were also registered (data in the “adults_month_evaluation” sheet). Data logger devices were also placed in the nearest canton/parish to the selected field plots in order to register soil temperature, and were monitored over a similar interval of days (data in the “Wheather_field_experiment” sheet). A onetime collection of adult specimens was also carried out at each monitoring site by entomological nets (data in the "entomofauna_month_evaluation" sheet. Secondary information such as the phenological state of potato crops, agronomic cultural practices, fertilization, irrigation and precipitation, and phytosanitary controls performed prior to each evaluation were also compiled (data in the "other_variables_evaluations" sheet and "phytosanitary_control_evaluations" sheet. Finally, an aggregate database which includes eggs, nymphs and adults evaluations of Bactericera cockerelli was crossed with temperatura (data in "All_Database_t") and a second aggregated database with the average numbers of eggs, nymphs and adults (data in "All_database_treduced")