Occurrence and control of weevils in Cocos nucifera L. in Sinop, Mato Grosso

Abstract

The incidence of pests in coconut trees is a factor that limits its cultivation, accounting for a significant depletion of the culture as well as for reducing productivity, considering that, in Brazil, coconut is mostly cultivated by small farmers who do not have access to technology and financial resources, thus increasing the precariousness of disease control. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the curculionidae-pests in coconut cultures in the region of Sinop – Mato Grosso, and present possible control methods. The experiment was conducted at three coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) farms in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil, from September 2009 to April 2010. Bucket and PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottle traps were used to collect the samples. The traps were spread among the coconut trees, and the results indicated the first record of Metamasius cinnamominus Perty 1830, Metamasius hemipterus hemipterus Linnaeus, 1765 and Rhynchophorus palmarum Linnaeus, 1758 in the State of Mato Grosso, and of Rhinostomus barbirostris Fabricius, 1775, in the Sinop region, as well as Homalinotus coriaceus Gyllenhal, 1836 and Amerrhinus ynca Sahlberg, 1823. Distribution and control data are also presented.