POPULATIONAL FLUCTUATION OF Dorcacerus barbatus (Olivier, 1796) IN JABOTICABA ORCHARD (Myrciaria jaboticaba Berg.)

Abstract

It was studied the populational fluctuation of adults of Dorcacerus barbatus (Olivier, 1790) in jabuticabeira orchard Myrciaria jaboticaba Berg. (Myrtaceae). The metereological agents influence on the populational fluctuation was also analysed. The study was carried out with jabuticaba trees, cv. Sabará, of about 10 years old from June 1983 until May 1985. The experimental area was composed by 2 hectares in Piracicaba, São Paulo State. The collections were gathered weekly with traps containing sugar cane syrup at 20%. The number of traps per hectare was 10. October, November and December were the months with the largest insect occurrence with 82.3% of collected specimens. November showed the highest populational peak with 44% of collected adults. The traps were efficient reducing to 38.7% and 51.2% the male and female population along the year, respectively. The rain influenced the number of collected adults along the period of 1983/84.