The species of genus Eucalyptus are the most used in the forestry sector, mostly because of its fast growth and adaptation to the different conditions of soil and climate in Brazil. However, a few insects, such as Compsosoma perpulchrum (Vigors, 1825) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) can become pests of girdled E. grandis Hill ex. Maiden in the State of Paraná. The objective of this work was to report the occurrence of C. perpulchrum in an eucalypt stand in the municipality of Paula Cândido, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Girdled trees and branches were inspected and measured in March, 2008. The damaged trees were E. urophylla S. T. Blake and most of the girdle occurred in the middle third of the tree height. The length of the girdle range was 3.63±0.18 cm. The length and diameter of the girded branches were 0.94±0.04 m and 0.90±0.06 cm, respectively. This is the first report of the insect damage to this eucalypt species in the State of Minas Gerais.
Forest pest; insect injury; cerambycidae; twig girdler
