SUMMARY

Studies conducted within the framework of the Embrapa-CNPM/EC/CIRAD-GERDAT-PRIFAS project, entitled "Environment and Pest Locusts and Grasshoppers of Brazil", have focused on Rhammatocerus schistocercoides (Rehn, 1906). This is an important pest grasshopper of Mato Grosso state (Brazil) where outbreaks were, until present, explained as being a consequence of deforestation and accelerated agricultural development that has occurred since the early 1980s.

Many results obtained in this project refute previous hypotheses, especially concerning the assumption that grasshopper outbreaks are a recent phenomenon in Mato Grosso, that agricultural development has had an important impact on the grasshopper situation, and that these grasshoppers are a potential threat to neighbouring states.

Some of the main results obtained in this project are:

The results of this project will have a critical operational impact. Strategies to control Rhammatocerus schistocercoides should now be completely reconsidered, while promoting local preventive spot treatments. There is considerable research potential in continuation of the current project, i.e. to perfect grasshopper outbreak survey, early-detection (high temporal resolution satellites) and grasshopper control (mycopesticides) techniques.

Overall, the results of this project have been the topic of twelve scientific publications, six conference papers, fourteen maps (covering an area of about 145 000 km2) and nineteen unpublished reports. Several publications are currently in preparation along with various other communications documents.


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