Gonodonta species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) defoliating sugar apple and atemoya fruits in the semiarid region of minas gerais

Abstract

This paper aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Gonodonta larvae defoliating sugar apple (Annona squamosa) and atemoya fruits (Annona squamosa x Annona cherimolia L. Mill.) in northern state of Minas Gerais. Larvae were collected between December 2007 and January 2008 in Annonaceae plantation in the rural area of the municipality of Janaúba, MG. Adults obtained have been sent for identification. The species identified were Gonodonta bidens Geyer, G. nutrix Stoll and G. pyrgo Cramer. The infestation level observed in the orchard was 85% of plants with the presence of Gonodonta larvae and the average defoliation percentage was 30%. These are the first records of Gonodonta species defoliating sugar apple and atemoya in Brazil.