Massive infestation in trees and shrubs in the State of São Paulo Ivana de Moura Villaça, Christian Ares Lapo, Mara Angelina Galvão Magenta

Abstract

There are several recent reports about the loss of millions of trees across the planet. Forest and urban trees interact with all climatic and geomorphological factors, in addition to global climate change and pollution, elements that together weaken them, making them susceptible to diseases, such as the invasion of vectors and pathogens into new regions. These invasions can cause substantial forest damage, economic impacts and loss of goods and ecosystem services provided by trees. This study began in the winter of 2016, in the city of Santos, on the coast of the State of São Paulo, when it was observed that several species of non-deciduous trees were losing their leaves and, then, throughout the spring and summer, As early as 2017, they were showing several symptoms of weakness and fungal attacks in common. An inspection was then carried out along nearby avenues and roads, revealing the existence of ten types of morphological changes and that the problem extended to adjacent cities. After collecting and analyzing samples, the existence of several types of fungi was verified, including possible causes of anthracnose.