Vulnerabilidade da Amazônia à introdução de pragas quarentenárias

Abstract

Quarantine pests are organisms that have high economic importance for a particular region or country. In general, these organisms are exotic and can be transported from one place to another both actively and passively. The main condition associated with the dispersal of quarantine pests is the transit of plants or parts of plants, fruits and seeds infested / infected between regions and / or countries. There are two categories of quarantine pests: absent pests (exotic pests not present in the country) and the present ones (present in a localized form in the country). Following the introduction of a quarantine pest in a given region, considerable economic, environmental and social damage is commonly observed. This work aimed to analyze the vulnerability of the Amazon to the introduction of quarantine pests (mites and insects). Initially, the quarantine pests that were introduced in the Amazon were discussed, discussing their probable pathways of introduction and socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Subsequently, from the species of mites and insects listed in the List of Quarantine Pests Absent in Brazil, published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, research was carried out on the main databases on insect pests, focusing on the geographical distribution and characteristics organisms. Based on this study, it was verified that 4 species of mites and 32 species of insects classified as quarantine pests absent from Brazil are present in at least one South American country, representing a risk of being introduced into Brazilian territory. It was found that Chile, Colombia, Argentina and Venezuela are the countries with the highest number of quarantine mites and insect species at risk of introduction in Brazil. Colombia and Venezuela deserve special vigilance, since they border the Brazil just by the Brazilian Amazon