Temporal variations of Lepidoptera collected in an Eucalyptus plantation in the State of Goiás, Brazil

Abstract

Lepidopterans are considered an important group of Eucalyptus pests in Brazil due to severe losses in wood production arising from defoliation. Biweekly collections were made in the State of Goiás, Brazil as part of a study of the population dynamics and the effects of temperature and rainfall on Lepidoptera pests of Eucalyptus. Lepidoptera were collected with ve light traps installed at two meters high with black light and powered by a 12 volt battery. These insects were divided into groups according to their importance as pests of Eucalyptus: group 1: 11 primary pests; group 2: 10 secondary pests; group 3: 64 species without de ned importance to Eucalyptus; and group 4: non-identi ed species. Among the primary pests, Thyrinteina arnobia (Geometridae), Eupseudosoma aberrans (Arctiidae) and Sarsina violascens (Lymantriidae) were the most frequent, the last two being constant (> 50% of collections) and the rst one accessory (25-50%). Idalus admirabilis (Arctiidae) and Eacles imperialis magni ca (Saturniidae) were the most frequent secondary pests, the rst being constant and the second accessory. Most of the Lepidoptera species were collected during the coldest and driest months, which indicates that these conditions could favour the occurrence of Lepidoptera outbreaks in plantations of Eucalyptus in this region of Brazil. For this reason, population monitoring of these species should be intensi ed during these periods.