Augmentative Biological Control in Plantation Forests: A Case Study from a Forestry Company in Brazil
摘要
The integrated pest management of Eucalyptus planted forests in a tropical climate requires the development of a programme to detect, monitor and control pests. This chapter addresses in detail the integrated management actions of the Suzano company as a case study, focusing on the biological control of Gonipterus platensis and Thaumastocoris peregrinus, both non-native pests originating from Australia. For G. platensis, biological control through the use of a parasitoid (Anaphes nitens), a predator (Podisus nigrispinus), an entomopathogenic fungus (Beauveria bassiana) and an organo-mineral (vegetable oil), combined with field monitoring, has been a successful approach to manage this pest. In the case of T. peregrinus, biological control has mainly been achieved with its egg parasitoid, Cleruchoides noackae, and additionally with the entomopathogenic fungus (B. bassiana). When justified by monitoring, chemical control may also be used to control T. peregrinus, but this should be followed by reintroduction of the parasitoid. The results of each survey, internal or external, are included in the integrated management routines, with a focus of using biological control to prevent pest outbreaks from occurring.