Impact of Eucalyptus Plantations in Different Regions of Brazil on the Distribution and Abundance of Defoliating Caterpillars

Document Type: Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Departamento de Engenharia Agronômica, Curso de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon s/n, 49.100-000 - São Cristóvão, Sergipe State, Brazil

2 Departamento de Biologia Entomologia/BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36.571-000 - Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

3 Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36.571-000 - Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

Eucalyptus species are cultivated in homogeneous plantations in Brazil, mainly to supply wood
for the cellulose and steel industries, which favors the establishment of insect pests. The objective was to
determine the geographical distribution and structure abundance of Lepidoptera defoliators of eucalypt.
Primary pest species of eucalypt of the order Lepidoptera were found in all areas sampled and their populations were correlated with the age of the eucalypt plants, rainfall, and monthly average temperature. They presented population peaks between February and July (Três Marias and Niquelândia) and July to November (Monte Dourado) during periods of lower rainfall. The highest population peaks of these species were recorded when the eucalypt plants were three to six years old. The area of Guanhães presented better stability and fewer possibilities for the occurrence of eucalyptus Lepidoptera primary pests.

Keywords

International Journal of Environmental Research

Volume 7, Issue 4
Autumn 2013
Pages 937-944

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