Mistletoe infestation in the ipes of the State University of Londrina campus (UEL)

Abstract

Trumpet trees are ornamental species present in several cities in the country, as for example, in the city of Londrina (PR). In their blossoming seasons they are appreciated by the population, due to their exuberance and beauty. Despite their aesthetic importance, in Londrina, these species have been parasitized by Struthanthusflexicaulis, a parasite that removes part of its sap from its host, which can lead to death, due to its fast and easy spread and ability to infect several trees. In this sense, the discipline of Biogeography was evidenced as a field of geographic science that could contribute to the spatialization of this parasitism and from there, to elaborate intervention strategies. In this way, the present research aimed to identify Trumpet trees parasitized by Struthanthusflexicaulis on the campus of the State University of Londrina (UEL) and to understand the socio-spatial and economic implications for the institution and for the city of Londrina. To do so, a field survey was conducted at the university, to identify infected and non-infected Trumpet trees. Thus, a map was elaborated, based on the software QGIS and ENVI, and presents the spatialization of this parasitism in the university. By means of this study a total of 281 Trumpet trees were identified, from which 85 are infected with Struthanthusflexicaulis and 196 are not, that is to say, 30.2% of UEL’s Trumpet trees are parasitized by the Struthanthusflexicaulis, being that the tendency is the greater proliferation of the parasite pointing to the emergence of interventions.