Platform indicates risk of avocado weevil in Santa Catarina

Avocado producers in Santa Catarina can now access detailed information about the climatic conditions favorable for the occurrence of the avocado weevil.Stenoma catenifer), a pest that can severely compromise production. The data is available on the Agroconnect portal, from Epagri/Ciram, and indicates the estimated number of annual generations of the pest, the duration of each cycle, and its spatial distribution in the state, with daily updates.

The initiative is part of the Miríades project, developed by Epagri/Ciram with a focus on supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM). According to researcher Iria Sartor Araújo, coordinator of the project, the objective is to offer an efficient, economical, and sustainable approach to the control of agricultural pests. "The tool allows us to anticipate risk scenarios and improve decision-making in the field," she emphasizes.

The Miríades project already provides climate favorability analyses for other relevant pests, such as the corn leafhopper, fall armyworm, thrips, and the oriental fruit moth. The system is also used to monitor the distribution and life cycle of the dengue mosquito. All information is freely accessible on Agroconnect.

Potential of avocado in Santa Catarina

According to researcher Hamilton Vieira, from Epagri/Ciram, the advance of climate change makes it essential to understand the influence of environmental conditions on both established crops and those with expansion potential in the state. Avocado cultivation in Santa Catarina presents good prospects, especially in coastal regions and areas with a milder climate, where the risk of frost is lower.

In this context, the early disclosure of the likelihood of avocado weevil occurrence gains economic and environmental relevance, as it allows producers to plan the establishment of orchards considering the phytosanitary risk.

A historic and highly damaging plague.

The avocado weevil was first identified in Brazil in 1923 and is a Neotropical species also recorded in Venezuela, Peru, and Mexico. In Brazil, it occurs widely, with greater frequency in states such as São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Paraná.

The insect lays its eggs in cracks and structures within the fruit. After hatching, the caterpillars bore into the peel, feed on the pulp, and advance to the pit, causing severe damage that can result in losses of up to 100% of production.

Climate base and modeling

The thermal favorability estimate is calculated from a mathematical equation that considers the duration, in hours, of the pest's development—from egg to adult stage—as a function of the average hourly temperature. According to Vieira, because they have small body mass, insects are highly dependent on ambient temperature, which makes this type of modeling a strategic tool for agricultural management.