INSETOS-PRAGA DA ORDEM COLEOPTERA DE OCORRÊNCIA NA CULTURA DO CACAUEIRO (Theobroma cacao L.)

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1072511022

• Palavras-chave: cacau, besouros, controle de pragas

• Keywords: cocoa, beetles, pest control

• Abstract: One of the main problems that compromise production and productivity in cocoa crops (Theobroma cacao L.) is the occurrence of pests and diseases, causing economic losses and damage to producing regions. Among the main insect pests of the Coleoptera order, the following stand out: the cowpea beetle (Percolaris ornata and Taimbezinhia theobromae), the fruit borer (Conotrachelus humeropictus), the stingless beetle (Steirastoma breve), the ram (Lasiopus cilipes, Lordops aurosa and Naupactus bondari), the bark beetle (Xilusandrus morigerus and Theoborus villosulus), and storage pests. In general, these insects harm the physiology and development of the plant, productivity and final production. These pests can be managed using various control methods, including mechanical, cultural, chemical and biological methods, which together make up Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Mechanical control is achieved by removing affected parts of the plant or preventively by cultural treatments, manual picking and elimination of insect pests. Chemical control, one of the most widely used methods, is only recommended when at least 10% of the plants are infested. In stored almonds, fumigation with phosphine and ozone, biological control and botanical insecticides are used preventively. Biological control is achieved by introducing natural enemies, such as entomopathogenic microorganisms, predators and parasitoids.