Proteção de plantas contra o ataque de insetos: barreiras visíveis e invisíveis

Abstract

To an uninformed observer, plants appear to be an easy prey for herbivores. Of course, they cannot hide or run away, but they are not easy prey. Plants have a surveillance system, capable of perceiving damage to a leaf or stem and initiating a signaling cascade, which culminates in the induction of defense proteins. These “invisible” defenses are only activated when damage occurs by a herbivore, and represent a resource saving for the plant. There are also “visible” defenses: thorns, trichomes, and thicker cuticle, which are already present on the plant. This monograph seeks to summarize the bibliography on plant responses to insect attacks. A bibliographic survey was conducted using the Google Scholar tool, using keywords that encompass the topic, and giving priority to articles from the year 2000 to 2025. The objective was to create a general overview of how plants respond to insect attacks and how these strategies can be incorporated into integrated pest management. The literature review can be used by lay people who want to know more about the subject and also by people who work in rural production, in an attempt to demystify the idea that plants are beings incapable of defending themselves. Currently, there is an increase in the population of insects resistant to the insecticides most commonly used in agribusiness, and the use of agrochemicals can lead to an increased risk of contamination to the environment and to the people who handle them. It is hoped that this literature review can serve as a source of information in the search for strategies to make the plant itself resistant in integrated pest management programs.