IDENTIFICAÇÃO E ALTERNATIVAS DE MANEJO DE PRAGAS DE IMPORTÂNCIA ECONÔMICA EM CULTIVOS DE MARACUJÁ (PASSIFLORA SP.) NA REGIÃO DE PALMAS

The genus Passiflora is commonly cultivated for its landscaping potential and the production of edible fruits. Brazil is a major producer of passion fruit, accounting for approximately 70% of the world's production. Passion fruit production is of great social importance; however, it is threatened by a variety of diseases and pests that cause damage to the crop, requiring the adoption of management strategies for pest species in the crop. This study aims to identify and describe pests and their management methods in passion fruit crops in the region of Palmas, Tocantins. Seven properties dedicated to the cultivation of the fruit were visited, where questionnaires for the situational diagnosis of the crops were applied; the results were tabulated with the purpose of providing information with applicability in the state context. Bugs, especially the passion fruit bug, fruit bug and leaf-footed bug, were described as pests, in addition to the presence of a species of defoliating caterpillar and species of Arapuá bee, with more than 70% of producers indicating that they use the chemical management method for pest control. In addition to these, a wide variety of pests present in the crops and a high percentage of inefficiency in the management methods used were indicated.