Species of the eucalypt genus represent the majority of forest plantations in Brazil. Because these species belong to the Myrtaceae family, they have been attacked by insects of native host plants of this family including Oxydia vesulia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), which is responsible for significant damage to eucalyptus plants in many areas in Brazil. The establishment and preservation of native reserves have been one of the alternatives used aiming to reduce the effect of harmful agents since it increases ecological diversity, consequently favouring the multiplication and diversity of natural enemies. Lepidoptera species were collected in two eucalyptus plantations, one with and the other without strips of native vegetation with light traps, in five plant situations: 1 inside a savannah area at 100 meters from its border; 2- in the contact area between the savannah and the eucalyptus plantation; 3- inside the eucalyptus plantation at 250 meters from its border; 4- in the center of a savannah strip at approximately 500 meters from the border of the savannah area and 5- inside the eucalyptus plantation at 750 meters from the border of the savannah area. A total of 329 individuals of O. vesulia was collected with this species being more abundant in the area without strips with 266 individuals, while only 63 individuals were collected in the area with strips. This species was constant (51.43%) in the system without strips and accessory (45.71%) in the area with strips while its frequency was 1.15 and 1.66%, respectively, in these systems with higher number of individuals from the second fortnight of February in both systems. O. vesulia showed a higher number of individuals in the system with strips, specially inside the eucalyptus plantation at 250 meters from the border of the savannah area, with 31 individuals. The system without strips showed the highest number of individuals inside the eucalyptus plantation at 750 meters from the border of the savanah area.
Defoliating caterpillars; Eucalyptus spp.; forest fragment
