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Sampling of subterranean termites Syntermes spp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) in a eucalyptus plantation using point process and geostatistics

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Abstract

The Syntermes genus, the most significant termite pest in eucalyptus cultivation, damages roots and debarks plant rings. This can kill the seedlings of this plant, and thus require replanting. Integrated management, based on sampling plans can reduce damage to eucalyptus seedlings and allows the rational use of chemical control. The objectives were to model the spatial distribution of the Syntermes spp. foraging holes using the Matérn-cluster point process in the Cerrado region (Brazilian savannah), simulate a sampling plan for termite hole density, produce maps of foraging hole densities using geostatistics and validate the simulated sampling plan in the field. The distribution of the Syntermes spp. foraging holes was spatially non-homogeneous and it adjusted to the Matérn-cluster point process model in the Minas Gerais Cerrado areas. The best Syntermes sampling plan simulation in the area of Cerrado is to launch a circular 5 m radius parcel every 100 m (sampling error <5 %) in a systematic manner. The approach of point processes, combined with geostatistics, is adequate to produce maps for the termite Syntermes spp. infestation in the eucalyptus plantation.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, Brazil) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG, Brazil) for supporting our research. Global Edico Services revised and edited this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Mato Grosso - Campus Cáceres, Avenida dos Ramires, s/n, Mato Grosso, 78200-000, Brazil

    A. Santos

  2. Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-000, Brazil

    J. C. Santos, J. R. Cardoso & R. Zanetti

  3. Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil

    J. E. Serrão

  4. Departamento de Entomologia/BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil

    J. C. Zanuncio

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  1. A. Santos
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Correspondence to J. C. Zanuncio.

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Santos, A., Santos, J.C., Cardoso, J.R. et al. Sampling of subterranean termites Syntermes spp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) in a eucalyptus plantation using point process and geostatistics. Precision Agric 17, 421–433 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-015-9428-3

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