BOLETIM DA FACULDADE DE CIÊNCIAS AGRÁRIAS DO PARÁ, n. 8, nov. 1976

Abstract

1) The hairs of a caterpillar commonly called "pararama", in the State of Pará, occasionally cause very serious lesions on the rubber tree plantation workers that cut the tree (Hevea sp.) for látex, The physical contact of the hands of these workers with the cartepillar or cucoon of Premolis semirufa (Lepidoptera-Arctiidae) can cause painful effects or deformation of the fingers, along with a partial or total loss of their flexibility. Research done with two companies in the State of Pará (Brazil) informs us as to the number of accidents that occurred from 1971 to 1974, nothng, in particular, the affected regions.

2) An experiment made in August, 1973, on an industrial planting of rubber trees (Hevea spp), belonging to the Goodyear Company of Brazil, in the county of São Francisco of Pará, Brazil, having as its objective the collection of non-published information about the possible quantity of larvae of the moths of (Erinnyis ello) (Lin.) (Lepidoptera-Sphingidae), found on a single rubber tree, in addition to the distribution of their cocoons on the ground tmd the collection of the moths by means of illuminated traps, wiih varying heights of from two to four meters. The laboratory tests, using seven types of inseticides during three different periods of larvas, gave as a result, witlí 100% mortality after 24 hours of exposure, the following insectldes: DIAZINON, RHODIA - ENDRIN (Ethyl Parathion 10% + Endrin 25%) and GAITIUTOX (Ethyl Parathion 12% + DDT 36%), followed by ENDRIN (77% mortality), MALATHION and CARBARYL (66% mortality) and METHIL PARATHION (49% mortality).

3) Results of a trial with wild rubPer trees (Hevea brasiliensis) on a low land (várzea) soil in which different methods of applying Ethrel were tried withowt othenvise changing the amazonian tapping system. The yields of treatments with higher responses, (above 100%) in an average of 8 months, are shown to be economically feasible.