Occurrence of Naupactus optatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in african mahogany in Brazil

Abstract

The expansion of african mahogany cultivation in Brazil, as well as other exotic species, implies its exposure to various climatic and environmental conditions, referring to the appearance of pests and diseases not previously reported in the literature. In this sense, the objective of this study was to record the first occurrence of Naupactus optatus (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in african mahogany in Brazil. Suspicious samples were collected infesting roots, leaves, branches and stems of African mahogany plants on a farm in the municipality of Cantá, Roraima, Brazil. The sampled material includes curculionids, in all stages of development, eggs, larvae and adults, males and females, which were identified as Naupactus optatus (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The attacked leaves were semicircular in their edges and/or between the ribs, leaving them with a serrated appearance and/or with the appearance of a half moon. The plants were completely defoliated, causing excess side shoots to appear on the trunk and along the stem. This is the first record by Naupactus optatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on african mahogany in Brazil.

Keywords:
Khaya ivorensis; Forest entomology; Insect pest