Phytosanitary alert issued for 'giant grasshopper' in Argentina

The National Service for Health and Agrifood Quality (Senasa) has declared a phytosanitary alert for the pest Tropidacris collaris Stoll (commonly called "Tucura Quebrachera") throughout Argentina.

The measure, which will remain in effect until March 31, 2021, is provided for in Resolution 568/2020, which was published in the Federal Official Gazette on August 19, 2020, with the signature of the President of Senasa, Carlos Paz, and aims to implement comprehensive coordinated management measures to reduce the impact of the pest.

With monitoring from the National Program Senasa Gafanhoto and Tucuras, territorial advances by the pest were detected in the provinces of Santa Fé, Entre Ríos, San Luis and in the city of Pergamino, Buenos Aires and an increase in their population in the provinces of Córdoba, Santiago del Estero, Santa Fé, Catamarca, Chaco and Salta, damaging soybean, corn, cotton and sorghum crops, as well as native forests and pastures.

The regulation also establishes that the presence of the pest must be immediately reported to Senasa. This applies to anyone responsible for or in charge of agricultural and/or livestock farms, national, provincial or municipal health authorities, or people who, under any circumstances, detect the presence of specimens of tucura quebrachera. Likewise, if necessary, they must carry out pest control, using the active ingredients authorized by Senasa for this purpose.

Tucuras are polyphagous insects, which feed on nearly all plants, including plantations, pastures and native flora. Therefore, they can affect agricultural activity directly and livestock indirectly, as it affects the availability of forage resources.

The original Portuguese version of this article is from GRUPO CULTIVAR.