GARDEN PLANTS: PROBLEMS CAUSED BY AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR

Abstract

Scarabaeidae defoliators are considered of great importance in Brazil because they seriously damage the leaf system of several plant species. The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of the defoliating beetle Bolax campicola Machatschke, 1974 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) attacking ornamental plants in the urban area of municipality of Forestal, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The initial attack was observed on the ornamental palm species Dypsis lutescens (Arecaceae) whose leaves were completely consumed, and then these insects began to feed on Canna indica (Cannaceae), another ornamental species, which was found near to the first. However, in the same location newly planted fruit tree seedlings of Plinia trunciflora (Myrtaceae), Averrhoa carambola (Oxalidaceae) and Malpighia emarginata (Malpighiaceae) were attacked and completely defoliated. This report of damage to plants in urban areas by B. flavolineatus demonstrates the need for studies on the behavior and feeding preference of these insects, and even their ability to adapt to different host plants.

Keywords

• defoliating beetles
• coleoptera
• urban pests