Brazilian forest producers have developed integrated management programs to increase the effectiveness of the control of leaf-cutting ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex. These measures reduced the costs and quantity of insecticides used in the plantations. Such integrated management programs are based on monitoring the ant nests, as well as the need and timing of the control methods. Chemical control employing baits is the most commonly used method, however, biological, mechanical and cultural control methods, besides plant resistance, can reduce the quantity of chemicals applied in the plantations.

Agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems can increase carbon sequestration, offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce the carbon footprint generated by animal production. The objective of this study was to estimate GHG emissions, the tree and grass aboveground biomass production and carbon storage in different agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems in southeastern Brazil. The number of trees required to offset these emissions were also estimated. The GHG emissions were calculated based on pre-farm (e.g. agrochemical production, storage, and transportation), and on-farm activities (e.g. fertilization and machinery operation). Aboveground tree grass biomass and carbon storage in all systems was estimated with allometric equations. GHG emissions from the agroforestry systems ranged from 2.81 to 7.98 t CO2e ha−1. Carbon storage in the aboveground trees and grass biomass were 54.6, 11.4, 25.7 and 5.9 t C ha−1, and 3.3, 3.6, 3.8 and 3.3 t C ha−1 for systems 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The number of trees necessary to offset the emissions ranged from 17 to 44 trees ha−1, which was lower than the total planted in the systems. Agroforestry systems sequester CO2 from the atmosphere and can help the GHG emission-reduction policy of the Brazilian government.

Key message The recommendations accompanying pesticide derogations from the FSC are not efficient for the management of leaf-cutting ants and termites in certified forest plantations in Brazil compared with chemical control using insecticides. FSC recommendations ignore the biological and ecological features of pests and forest plantations in Brazil when they set global rules for forest certification.

Essential oils from botanical extracts used for insect pest control should be both effective and have low impact on natural enemies. The objective was to evaluate the effects of ten essential oils on the biological and reproductive parameters in two Trichogramma galloi Zucchi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) generations. The emergence F 1 generation of T. galloi was reduced by more than 30% with Allium sativum, Carapa guianensis, Citrus sinensis, Neem and Syzygium aromaticum. Zingiber officinale reduced the T. galloi emergence of the F 1 and F 2 generations by between 30 and 99%. The longevity of the F 1 generation was reduced by more than 50% with Z. officinale at the pre-pupae and pupae stages. All oils reduced the parasitism rate of the F 1 generation in the egg-larva and pre-pupa stages. Allium sativum, C. guianensis and C. sinensis, Neem and Origanum vulgare reduced parasitism by between 30 and 79%. Zingiber officinale was slightly and moderately harmful to the F 1 and F 2 generations, respectively, for the T. galloi parasitism. The sex ratio of the two T. galloi generations was not affected by the essential oils. The low side effects of the oils on the F 2 generation, except for Z. officinale (the most harmful oil), suggest that T. galloi developed some post-transgenerational tolerance/resistance mechanisms to these oils and/or their components. The A. sativum, C. guianensis, C. sinensis, Neem, O. vulgare, S. aromaticum and Z. officinale oils were not selective for T. galloi. Mentha piperita, Piper nigrum and Thymus vulgaris essential oils can be included in integrated pest management programs for this parasitoid.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was the first non-governmental organization composed of multi-stakeholders to ensure the social, environmental, and economic sustainability of forest resources. FSC prohibits certain chemicals and active ingredients in certified forest plantations. A company seeking certification must discontinue use of products so listed and many face problems to comply with these constraints. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of certification on pest management from the perspective of Brazilian private forestry sector. Ninety-three percent of Brazilian FSC-certified forest companies rated leaf-cutting ants as "very important" pests. Chemical control was the most important management technique used and considered very important by 82 % of respondents. The main chemical used to control leaf-cutting ants, sulfluramid, is in the derogation process and was classified as very important by 96.5 % of the certified companies. Certified companies were generally satisfied in relation to FSC certification and the integrated management of forest pests, but 27.6 % agreed that the prohibitions of pesticides for leaf-cutting ant and termite control could be considered as a non-tariff barrier on high-productivity Brazilian forest plantations. FSC forest certification has encouraged the implementation of more sustainable techniques and decisions in pest management in forest plantations in Brazil. The prohibition on pesticides like sulfluramid and the use of alternatives without the same efficiency will result in pest mismanagement, production losses, and higher costs. This work has shown that the application of global rules for sustainable forest management needs to adapt to each local reality.

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