The extractivism of pequi fruits (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) (Caryocaraceae) is an important option of income, food and employment for the populations living in the savannah regions all over Brazil. However, the natural supply of those fruit is endangered by a great deal of factors, among those stands out a serious pest, Carmenta sp. (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) making them unsuitable for consumption. The present study aimed to know some characteristics of the responsible insect as well as the way of attacking pequi fruits, damage caused and characteristic symptoms. This work was performed through the analysis of previously collected pequi fruits, both on the plant and soil in the type savannah vegetation in Montes Claros county, Northern Minas and Itumirim, Southern Minas, in Minas Gerais State. In the former county were harvested fruits between 80 - 120 days after anthesis (DAA), while in the last one in two times, 45 and 90 DAA. In each county, collect time and site (plant or soil) were collected 50 fruits for analysis. The evaluated characteristics were: longitudinal and transversal diameter, percentage of damaged fruits, number of worm per fruit and number of chrysalides per fruit. After the analysis of those characteristics, the insect's developmental stages were recorded and documented photographycally as to length, coloration and morphology as well as attack symptoms. From this work, we can conclude that the pequi fruit lepidoborer can provoke damage to yield higher than 50 %, destroying all the inside of the fruits. The youngest fruits are the most attacked, being commom to find a single worm in its inside.
Lepidoborer; Savannah; Caryocar brasiliense; Carmenta sp.; Lepidoptera; Sesiidae; Caryocaraceae
