MAJOR LEPIDOPTEROUS DEFOLIATORS OF EUCALYPT IN SOUTHEAST BRAZIL

Lepidopterous defoliators of Eucalyptus have caused great damage to pl antations in Brazil, making it necessary to study these important inse ct pests. This paper presents the results of investigations of major l epidopterous (primary and secondary) pests associated with Eucalyptus plantations in nine regions in southeastern Brazil. Entomological samp les were taken from Eucalyptus spp. plantations in the regions of Belo Oriente, Montes Claros, Tres Marias, Alto Slo Francisco and Guanhaes (Minas Gerais State), Cacapava and Slo Jose dos Campos (Sao Paulo Stat e) and Sao Mateus and Aracruz (Espirito Santo State). The insects were collected in light traps and sent to the Forest Entomology Laboratory , Animal Biology Department, Federal University of Vicosa for sorting, counting, cataloguing and identification. Eleven primary and 40 secon dary pests of Eucalyptus were identified. The majority of species were in the families Saturniidae, Geometridae, Arctiidae and Notodontidae. The highest populations of insect pests, such as Thyrinteina leucocer aea and Thyrinteina arnobia (Geometridae), Eupseudosoma involuta (Arct iidae) and Glena spp. (Geometridae) were recorded during the cold and dry part of the year, from May to September. Some species, however, we re present during the wet part of the year. These included Eacles impe rialis magnifica, Psorocampa denticulata and Dirphia rosacordis (Notod ontidae).