ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF Eucalyptus camaldulensis (DEHNH) SUBMITTED TO ATTACK FROM Thaumastocoris peregrinus (CARPINTERO & DELLAPE)

Abstract

Works correlating the effect of a bronze bug attack on ecophysiological aspects of eucalyptus can be used in selection programs for resistant genetic materials. The objective of this study was to evaluate the injuries caused by Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Carpintero & Dellape) through the ecophysiological analysis of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Dehnh). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with two groups of plants, infested and non-infested, kept in a room at 25 ± 2 °C, relative humidity 60 ± 2% and a photoperiod of 12 hours. For 26 days, every 48 hours, the chlorophyll a fluorescence, using the electron transport rate (ETR) and the potential quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm), was measured, in addition to the leaf chlorophyll content of the plants. The variables observed were analyzed in relation to treatments and times using a mixed linear model, with plants and leaves being random effects. Plants protected from insect attack showed better results over the experimental period. However, the attack from the bronze bug negatively affected all the ecophysiological variables evaluated in E. camaldulensis, indicating a possible compromise of the photosynthetic apparatus of the plants.

Phoracantha recurva (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): First Report in the Atlantic Rainforest of Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Unfortunately, the increase of the planted area with Eucalyptus spp. and related species, and the international trade of its products, are increasing accidental introductions of exotic insects (Mansfield 2016;Almeida et al 2018).…”

Anatomical indicators of Eucalyptus spp. resistance to Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae)

“…Exotic pests, introduced in the last two decades, are causing losses to the Brazilian forestry sector ( Paine, Steinbauer & Lawson, 2011 ; Almeida et al, 2018 ). In 2003, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) was reported in Brazil ( Wilcken et al, 2015 ) and has reduced crop yields ( Saliba et al, 2019 ).…”

Pathogenicity of Steinernema brazilense (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) to Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) prepupae

“…The weevil G. platensis was the first introduced eucalyptus pest in New Zealand (1890), Africa (1916), South America (1925), Europe (1975) and North America (1994) (Mapondera et al, 2012). The introduction of key pests as G. platensis and Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) is a risk to forest plantations (Reis et al, 2012;Almeida et al, 2018), such as those of eucalypts (Bhattacharya et al, 2003;Clarke et al, 1998). Adults and larvae of the eucalyptus weevil feed preferably on young leaves, buds and developing shoots causing high damage (Clarke et al, 1998).…”