Arthropods as possible losses and solutions on Terminalia argentea (Combretaceae) saplings.

ABSTRACT

Terminalia argentea native tree to Brazil and used in landscaping, wood and coal production, and civil construction, is adapted to poor and dry soils and cultivated in severely disturbed ecosystems. This plant has insecticidal activity, but arthropods can cause damage to its saplings. This study evaluates the herbivorous insects and of their natural enemies on 48 T. argentea saplings which were divided according to the damage they cause or reduce it on these saplings using the percentage of the Importance Index-Production Unknown (% I.I.-P.U.). The Lamprosoma sp., Epitragus sp., Tropidacris collaris, Cerambycidae, Cratosomus sp., Psiloptera sp., Parasyphraea sp., Trigona spinipes, and Aphis spiraecola showed the highest % I.I.-P.U. on leaves of T. argentea. The Aphirape uncifera, Mantis religiosa, Uspachus sp., Podisus sp., and Araneidae, with the highest % I.I.-P.U. on leaves of T. argentea saplings are possible solutions to reduce damage by these pests. These natural enemies can reduce herbivorous insects on T. argentea saplings. However, their populations should be increased, especially spiders. Nevertheless, the Brachymyrmex sp. associated to A. spiraecola, in future T. argentea commercial plantations, can increase populations of sap-sucking insect and, consequently, their damage.