Valoración de métodos convencionales y no convencionales para el control del taladrador de las meliáceas en América Evaluation of conventional and non-conventional methods for the control of shoot borers in America

SUMMARY In the present review article, a recapitulation of recent research made with the purpose of decreasing the negative effect produced by the insects Hypsipyla grandella and Hypsipyla robusta (shoot borers) on seedlings of the Meliaceae family is presented, highlighting the mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and the cedar (Cedrela odorata) that are considered of high commercial importance due to the structure and quality of their wood in the forestry industry. Hypsipyla spp. has been identified as a potential plague and of commercial interest, as it attacks plants in their first life stages. This attack induces excessive branching, deformation of the stem and in the worst cases the death of the affected seedlings in monospecific plantations. The use of chemical agents (insecticides and pheromones), shade regulation on plantations, implementation of good forestry practices, biological control and the combination of plants with allelopathic principles against the plague in forestry cultures are some of the alternatives evaluated in situ and ex situ for the control or extermination of this plague that for many years has been the object of study of researchers.