Abstract
The Brazil nut, fruit of Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K., a native plant of the Amazon region and may be considered one of the main extractivist products of countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil. In Brazil this plant can be found in the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins. Species of the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, have been classified as pest potentials of Brazil nut under storage conditions. Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the main insect pests attacking grain stores worldwide. This specie may be observed attacking grains in the field and in storage facilities (cross-infestation), presenting a wide variety of hosts. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of adults of this species feed on Brazil nuts, and also to identify the type of injury as well as the life span of this coleopteran exposed to the meat of the Brazil nut. No feeding injury was observed on the surface of Brazil nuts and the life span of the insects was similar in treatments both with and without this food source in all populations evaluated. Due to the fact that S. zeamais adults do not injure, or feed on the Brazil nut, this beetle is not able to colonize this product and therefore may be considered a non-pest insect for stored Bertholletia excelsa almonds stored.
Highlights
The seeds of Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K. (Lecythidaceae), popularly known as Brazil nut, is one of the main extractivist products of the Amazon Biome (IBGE, 2017)
Recent research has contributed to the improvement of techniques and post-harvest procedures, implementing specific parameters for the classification of this product, which can favor the production of a higher-quality Brazil nut (ÁLVARES et al, 2012; CARNEIRO et al, 2018, 2017; MARTINS et al, 2012; MONTEIRO; NOGUEIRA; PIRES, 2016)
Sitophilus zeamais appears to present no pest threats to Brazil nut under storage condition. This was evidenced through this study by 1) the absence of feeding injury on the nuts, 2) the insects not being observed in contact with the Brazil nut, and 3) the life span of the insects exposed to Brazil nut being similar to those who had no food source
Summary
The seeds of Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K. (Lecythidaceae), popularly known as Brazil nut, is one of the main extractivist products of the Amazon Biome (IBGE, 2017). Brazil nut might become a new food source for the known grain pests causing great losses The types of injuries that have been observed on the surface of Brazil nuts that are caused by Coleoptera and Lepidoptera are described as holes, galleries, Received: 04/04/19 Accepted: 20/12/19
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