Occurrence of Brassolis sp. in mangroves along the Apodi-Mossoró River estuary, Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

Mangroves are coastal ecosystems and although the main degradation factors of mangroves are well known and documented, few records deals with the occurrence of pests that attack mangrove vegetation. The caterpillars Brassolis sp. when colonizing mangrove plants, cause defoliation, leaving only the central veins of the leaflets and the rachis of each leaf. In this way, it was verified the occurrence of Brassolis sp. in mangroves along the Apodi-Mossoró River estuary, in the municipality of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. A random, minimum sampling of 10% of the total mangrove species Avicennia germinans, Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncalaria racemosa and Rhyzophora mangle was collected for two years in which pupae, caterpillars and moths were collected for later identification. Subsequently, an alternative test solution was applied to the pesticides that were sprayed on the mangrove species infested once a week (during 4 weeks) after the collection period of each year, then the presence or absence of the larval, pupa and moth, as well as their behavior. Insects Brassolis sp. attack and infest the mangrove species Avicennia germinans, Avicennia schaueriana, and Rhyzophora mangle, with no evidence that they can infest Laguncalaria racemosa. The solution tested as control of insect infestation Brassolis sp. causes lethargy of caterpillars and death of pupae and moths after 4 weeks of use, however its application in periods of proliferation of these insects (rainy season) is necessary for greater control of this pest in mangroves.