First record of the occurrence of the bronze bug in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

The bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus, is a significant pest of eucalyptus trees and was first reported in Brazil in 2008, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Since then, it has rapidly spread to other states, posing a threat to eucalyptus plantations. As of 2024, there were no official records of this pest in Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, or Rio Grande do Norte, likely due to the limited cultivation of eucalyptus in these areas. However, an inspection carried out in 2021 in an experimental plantation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus tereticornis in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, revealed typical damage associated with the bronze bug. Laboratory analyses confirmed its presence. Observations throughout the year identified populations of young and adult insects, with higher occurrences during the rainy season and early dry season. This finding underscores the pest’s adaptability to semi-arid climates and highlights the urgent need for continuous phytosanitary monitoring and the development of effective management strategies to mitigate potential damage in susceptible plantations.