Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: IÊDA PAULA DO NASCIMENTO RIBEIRO

Seasonal monitoring of the banana urchin (Cosmopolites sordidus) in banana plantations in Seropédica-RJ 

and Paracambi-RJ under different altitude conditions.

Banana farming; Prague; Banana Moleque; Monitoring; Agriculture family; Agroecology.

Banana farming is an agricultural activity of great economic and social relevance, especially in Brazil, where production

 is mostly carried out by farmers family members. However, banana productivity and quality are often threatened by 

pests, such as the banana mole (Cosmopolites sordidus). This study aims to investigate how altitude variations

 influence the occurrence and population density of the banana brat (Cosmopolites sordidus) in banana plantations

 organic and agroecological products throughout the different seasons of the year, aiming to understand the impact

 of environmental conditions on pest behavior and propose mitigation strategies more effective monitoring and control. The research will be carried out in the municipalities of Seropédica and Paracambi, located in the metropolitan region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, with producers at the Family Agriculture Fair (FAF) at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro Janeiro (UFRRJ), where organic and agroecological products are sold. 

FAF is recognized for the high quality of the products offered and operates every Wednesday at Seropédica campus.

This work aims to provide FAF farmers with tools to increase the productivity of your banana crops in a sustainable

 way, ensuring a constant and quality supply throughout the year. The study will involve installation of traps and

 the application of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana in banana plantations located at different

 altitudes. Data collection included monitoring weekly measurement of the number of beetles captured and the 

measurement of environmental parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and precipitation. With this,

 it is expected to identify which type of trap (“cheese” and “pseudo-stem baits in the tussock”) is more effective 

in capturing the urchin- banana tree at different altitudes and seasons. It also aims to contribute to the

 sustainability and resilience of family farming in the region, promoting practices more sustainable agricultural 

products, which generates benefits for both farmers and consumers. Furthermore, the technical product generated

 will be a Field Day with the FAF producers, training them in the monitoring and biological control of the borer borer rhizome. The 

expectation is to strengthen them and encourage the adoption of management practices each time more sustainable.