SCOLYTINAE ASSEMBLAGE STRUCTURE (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) IN FORESTED AREAS WITH Eucalyptus spp. IN SOUTHERN RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE

The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of the assembly of Scolytinae beetles associated with Eucalyptus plantations in southern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, and determine species of importance to the culture. Biweekly samples were taken from five Fibria Celulose S/A farms forested with Eucalyptus spp., from February 2006 to December 2010, with flight intercept traps baited with 95% ethanol. We collected 7,365 specimens within 76 species, 18 genera, and seven tribes. Corthylini, represented by the genera Corthylus, Monarthum, Amphicranus, Metacorthylus, Microcorthylusand Tricolus, and Xyleborini, by Ambrosiodmus, Dryocoetoides, Xyleborinus, Xyleborus and Xylosandrus, were the most representative tribes, with 42.1% and 31.6% species, respectively. Xylosandrus retusus (Eichhoff) and Xyleborinus saxeseni (Ratzeburg) were the most abundant species, with 52.64% and 27.98% of all specimens sampled, followed by Corthylus antennarius Schedl with 4.15% beetles collected. Fifteen species were common to all sites, including Xyleborus ferrugineus (Fabricius), considered a potential pest to the culture, while 25 species were found exclusively in only one site. The farm Cerro Alegre had the highest species richness and larger number of exclusive species; Sao Manoel farm presented the highest diversity index and equitability; Aroeira farm had the highest frequency of Scolytinae and Sao Francisco farm showed the greatest abundance and dominance. The study of Scolytinae assemblages showed the predominance of Xylosandrus retusus and Xyleborinus saxeseni in all studied environmentals.