Theobroma Theobroma Theobroma is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that is sometimes classified as a member of Sterculiaceae. It contains roughly 20 species of small understory trees native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The generic name is derived from the Greek words θεός ("theos"), meaning "god," and βρῶμα ("broma"), meaning "food". It translates to "food of the gods." "Theobroma cacao", the best known species of the genus, is used for making chocolate. Several species of "Theobroma" produce edible seeds, notably cacao, cupuaçu, and mocambo. Cacao is commercially valued as the source of
Cacao swollen-shoot virus the whole plantation. Since the virus is transmitted readily through seed, only seed that is known to be free of the virus should be planted. "Planococcus njalensis" population density is closely correlated with density of ants in the genus "Crematogaster", which build protective carton tents over the mealy bug colonies. "Crematogaster" populations however are negatively correlated with populations of ants of the genus "Oecophylla". This could be a natural biological control that is worth considering if agents to control the "Crematogaster" ants are developed, since they should not target "Oecophylla" ants as well. Cacao swollen shoot virus has had a