Hypsipyla grandella in Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla): Current Situation and Perspectives

Abstract

The mahogany wood, Swietenia macrophylla King, is valued in the international trade market for
its beauty and durability for noble uses like furniture and decoration. Any attempt of commercial plantation of
this specie to diminish the pressure made by its selective exploration fail due to the incidence of the mahogany
shoot borer, Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller). Although some works have had relative success in presenting control
techniques over the punctual aspects, a strategy of economic, an economic strategy for efficient and integrated
management practice was not established yet for H. grandella in Brazil. This study objective is to update
data about the insect and its host based in the most recent studies made in Brazil, besides to indicate the most
prominent research areas for its control in S. macrophylla plantations in the Country. The most recommended
control´s strategies for H. grandella are the host plant resistance use, silvicultural management, semiochemicals
and biological control, in which exist the need of income to the long term researches. Natural resistance tests
of S. macrophylla procedences must be encouraged due to Brazil´s wide natural resource areas.