Acromyrmex species primarily attack Pinus taeda plantations during the first months after planting, with more intense damage in the first 30 days. 2 We evaluated potential damage by Acromyrmex crassispinus and Acromyrmex subterraneus in 30-day-old P. taeda plantations in southern Brazil by assessing the number of attacked plants and the distance reached by each colony, along with the losses in plant development resulting from different levels of defoliation. 3 Both species were significant pests in newly established pine plantations. A single colony can attack a substantial number of seedlings (up to 453 seedlings). Colonies with larger nests attacked more plants and ranged farther; A. crassispinus reached 59 m and A. subterraneus 87 m. 4 After 10 years, no significant losses in plant development were seen in seedlings defoliated less than 50% at 30 days after planting. But when defoliation of the young plants attained 75%, 100%, and 100%, including the cut of the apical meristem, volume losses reached 32%, 37%, and 43%, respectively. 5 Leaf-cutting ant controls should be carried out in plantations of P. taeda within 30 days of planting to avoid attacks. When seedlings are defoliated more than 75%, they should be replanted to avoid future losses in final wood volume.

In South America, the rate of afforestation with exotic pines has dramatically increased during the last two decades. The countries of South America are dependent on plantations of fast-growing trees to help meet their national needs for lumber, pulpwood, fuelwood, and other wood products. Also, these plantations alleviate the pressure on some naturally occurring species in areas such as the Amazon Basin, Atlantic Forest, and Auraucaria Forest. There are presently 5.0 million hectares of forest plaiitations in Brazil, of which 2.0 million hectares consist of various species of pines. Pines in South America were relatively pest-free; however, in the early 1990s, several species of insects and fungi were accidentally introduced into the continent. These pests have caused wide¬ spread, serious damage. Several pest species now threaten the future viability of pine, as well as tree biodiversity as a component of South American forestry programs. Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), is native to southern Europe, the Near East, and north Africa, where it is a secondary invader in the boles of weakened and dying pines. It is not considered a pest in its native habitat. This horntail is associated with a fungus, Amylostereian areolatiim, which is toxic to certain pines. By the mid 1980s, S. noctilio was causing extensive mortality In New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia. Sirex noctilio was first reported in South America (in Uruguay in 1980). In 1988 it was found in the southern part of Brazil. It has caused widespread losses, and, in some local cases, has resulted in over sixty-percent mortality in pine plantations in Brazil and neighboring countries. In Brazil, the insect presently occurs in the southern states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná, and covers an area of approximately 200,000 hectares of pine plantations. This region contains approximately sixty percent of the country's pine plantations. Current annual losses attributed to S. noctilio in this region are estimated at US$ 5 million. There is a tremendous potential for further spread of this pest in South America, especially into Chile, which has in excess of 1.3 million hectares of Monterey pine (Finns radiata D. Don.) plantations. Additionally, countries such as the United States are potentially threatened by S. noctilio as interna¬ tional trade increases.

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ResumoO objetivo principal deste artigo foi avaliar a capacidade potencial da indústria madeireira em atender às necessidades da secagem dos grãos produzidos na região de Guarapuava em florestas plantadas de eucalipto voltadas à produção de energia a partir de sua biomassa. Sob a ótica metodológica, a pesquisa caracterizou-se pela natureza aplicada, enfoque quantitativo e caráter explicativo e por estar fundamentada nos princípios de cadeias produtivas e de demanda derivada. Os resultados indicaram que normalmente os plantios energéticos de eucalipto na região apresentam produtividade de 40 m³/ha/ano. Os grãos de milho, soja, trigo e cevada passam por processos de secagem na região. Utiliza-se 0,0574 m³ de madeira de eucalipto para secar uma tonelada de milho, 0,0218 m³ por tonelada de soja, 0,0224 m³ por tonelada de trigo e 0,0258 m³ por tonelada de cevada. Estimou-se que, entre os anos de 2012 e 2022, a área total necessária para atender a secagem desses grãos pode variar entre 1.947 e 4.800 ha, com média entre 177 ha e 436,4 ha, conforme o cenário analisado. Os resultados indicam a necessidade da integração dos plantios florestais de eucalipto às cadeias produtivas agrícolas, visando ao atendimento das necessidades de secagem de grãos da região. Palavras-chave: Produção florestal; energia da biomassa; secagem de grãos. AbstractProjections of wood consumption for energy purposes of grain drying in the region of Guarapuava-PR. The main aim of this work was to evaluate the potential capacity of the wood industry to cater the grain drying facilities in the region of Guarapuava, based on areas of eucalyptus plantations aimed at producing wood for energy purposes. Methodologically, this research is characterized by its applied nature, quantitative focus and explanatory character; it is also based on the principles of derived demand and supply chains. The results indicated that eucalyptus plantations for energy purposes in the region have produced 40 m³/ha of wood per year. The grains of maize, soybeans, wheat and barley are dried in grain dryers in the region. In general, the drying process uses 0.0574 m³ of eucalyptus to dry one ton of maize, 0.0218 m³ per ton of soybeans, 0.0224 m³ per ton of wheat, and 0.0258 m³ per ton of barley. Between years 2012 to 2022 the total area required to meet the drying of grains can vary between 1946.7 and 4799.9 ha, an average of 177 to 436.4 ha, depending on the scenario. It is important to integrate the eucalyptus plantations to the agricultural production chain seeking to meet the needs of grain drying in the region.

The wood of Citharexylum solanaceum Chamo (Verbenaceae) is anatomically described and ilustrated with photomicrographs. The perforation plates were also studied under scanning electron microscopy, beeing recognized four different types of multiperforate plates, aside ofthe predominantly simple ones: scalariform, irregularly-reticulate, foraminate-radiate and radiate plates.