First record of damage by an insect pest in a commercial amaranth crop in Brazil

Abstract

Insect pests have not been recorded for amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) in Brazil. Generalized plant lodging was observed after the grain-filling period in an irrigated commercial amaranth crop (7 ha), located in Cristalina, state of Goiás (Brazil), which was cultivated between Aug. and Dec. 2009. Almost all sampled plants presented internal galleries bored by lepidopteran larvae. The larvae were reared, and the adults were identified as Herpetogramma bipunctalis (F.) (Crambidae). This is the first report of an insect pest causing significant damage in a commercial amaranth crop in Brazil, which indicates the need to develop pest management strategies in order to support the increased production in Brazil.