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
Forcipomyia squamipennis Forcipomyia squamipennis Forcipomyia squamipennis is a biting midge species in the genus "Forcipomyia". It is an important pollinator of cacao trees ("Theobroma cacao") in Ghana, and other related midges pollinate the tree in other parts of the tropics. "Forcipomyia squamipennis" is an important pollinator of the cacao tree "Theobroma cacao" in Ghana, not because it pollinates more effectively than other insects but because it is so numerous in cacao plantations. The population is greatest in the rainy season. Adult midges spend the day in shady spots such as between the buttress roots of large trees, in crevices in logs, in