SURVEY OF THE MAIN SOYBEAN POPULATION PESTS IN GOIÂNIA, BRAZIL

Abstract

In this work a survey of some of the insect pests which attack the soybean crop in Goiânia, County State Goiás, Brazil, was made to verify the populational fluctuations of the following species: Anticarsia gemmatilis Hueb., 1818; Plusia nu Guen., 1852; Elasmopalpus lignosellus Zeller, 1848; Spodoptera frugiperda Srnith, 1797; Diabrotica speciosa Germ., 1824; Epicauta spp.; Mocis latipes Guen., 1852; Nezara viridula L., 1758. The insects were collected through the use of light traps, of the “Luiz de Queiroz” type, rnodified, with ultraviolet fluorescent lamp bulbs, and use of traps “Malaise” type, by sunlight insect intrabits from 1975 to 1977. The results indicated that Anticarsia gemmatilis and Elasmopalpus lignosellus appeared during the entire year with acme populationals in order; in March and April, Plusia nu appeared from February to June of each year. Spodoptera frugiperda showed acme populational from November to January and Mocis latipes with maximum population in November and February. Diabrotica speciosa and Epicauta spp. both occurred during the soybean crop cycle respectively, with populations peaks from November to March. Nezara viridula which occurred from January to June with larger population from April to May. This information will indicate the best time for control of these insect pests under the condition of this study.