Termitofauna em floresta plantada e nativa e análises do forrageamento em mudas de eucalipto

Abstract

Termites are cited as pests of eucalyptus, from planting through to harvest. Not all of the species are effectively related to consigned damage. The objectives were to understand the presence of termites in the evaluated areas and to deepen the knowledge about four pest species and the injuries that are promoted by them in eucalyptus seedlings. The termites were sampled by the transect protocol. The activities of four species that are cited as pests were verified in lab conditions and the seedlings were submitted to four treatments: healthy seedlings, hydrical stress, mechanical damage and drowning of the collar. The species that are cited as pests were absent or in a low frequence, indicating that it was not necessary for a prior treatment of the seedlings destined for this area. Microcerotermes exiguus was not a potential pest. Nasutitermes corniger was the only that consumed the dry material of the aerial part of the seedlings. N. corniger, Syntermes dirus and Cornitermes cumulans did not promote injuries on the collar, but they inflicted an indirect damage through the tunnels that they constructed in the substrates between the roots. The species studied were not demonstrated as being the main pests of eucalyptus seedlings.