Meroncidius intermedius (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae): Incidence and Analysis of Fruits Attacked in Banana Crops in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of abiotic factors on the incidence of the damage caused by Meroncidius intermedius on Prata cv. Pacovan banana fruits and whether such damage interferes in the development and commercialisation of the fruits. The experiment was conducted in two stages. The first one was carried out at Fazenda Bonadiman, municipality of Iconha ES, Brazil, in an area of 02 hectares cultivated with Pacovan banana, Prata variety, in a spacing of 3 m x 3 m, between the months of June 2016 and May 2017, where the incidence of damage was monitored in the monthly harvested fruits. The second stage was carried out at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo - Santa Teresa campus, in May of 2018, the measurements of the fruits and the sensory analysis and intention to buy damaged fruits being carried out. As a result, it was obtained that the ambient temperature influenced the incidence of pests in the banana crop, being favoured by mild temperatures, while higher temperatures disadvantage the insect causing a lower incidence. From June to October 2016, the highest incidences were observed, with population peaks in September and October, decreasing in December, where the increase in temperature was also reported. The precipitation variable did not present a correlation with the incidence, thus not influencing it. Although the visual quality is impaired, making the fruit infeasible for commercialization in natura, the morphological and sensory characteristics are not jeopardized by the damage, so the fruits can be used for other purposes, such as agroindustry processing.