Arthropods as loss and solution sources in the fruit production on Annona crassiflora Mart. (Annonaceae) trees

The Annona crassiflora tree stands are essential for several communities that survive by collecting its fruits, while also helping to protect the Brazilian Cerrado. Additionally, A. crassiflora fruits serve as important food sources for wild animals in the Cerrado areas. However, A. crassiflora is threatened due to increasing deforestation in the Cerrado zone and over-extraction. This study aimed to identify arthropods and their importance in income loss or gain on A. crassiflora trees, applying a new index: the Percentage of Importance Indice (% I.I.). The % I.I. divided the loss sources (e.g., fruit borer Cerconota sp. on fruits) by the percentage of reduction of fruit production, calculated the attention level, with a total lost production of 80.17%. The possible solution sources, on A. crassiflora leaves, Camponotus sp.6, Crematogaster sp., and Cephalotes pusillus, showed the highest negative % I.I., resulting in a system productivity decrease of 0.24%. The fruit borer Cerconota sp. is the major pest to A. crassiflora in the Cerrado area. Baridinae on flowers and Cicadellidae on leaves and tending ants are not harmful on A. crassiflora trees in the Cerrado. However, these first two herbivorous insects can cause significant damages to fruit production in commercial crops or in Cerrado degraded areas. The % I.I. can be important for preserving wild areas, avoiding their degradation, with helping the traditional communities to identify the true loss sources of production in native plants. Thus, they can plan the best management of these potential pests, make more money, and avoid tree-cutting for charcoal production.