South American coati

The South American coati (Nasua nasua) belongs to the order Carnivora and the family Procyonidae. Despite being an omnivore, in areas close to farmland in South America, this species often turns into a significant pest that causes substantial damage to plantations and gardens.

The diet of this animal includes not only insects, larvae, and small vertebrates but also a significant amount of plant matter. They pose a particular threat to crops such as corn, sugarcane, citrus, and various fruit trees. Coatis are capable of raiding fields en masse, consuming both ripe fruits and young shoots, which leads to major harvest losses.

The biology of the species is characterized by high social activity: females and young individuals live in groups (bands), which allows them to efficiently find food sources. During the crop ripening season, these groups often raid fields, demonstrating high adaptability and intelligence. Breeding is seasonal, and the peak of pest activity often coincides with the harvest time.

The nature of the damage caused by coatis is specific: they break corn stalks and tear open cobs, leaving behind damaged tissues susceptible to rot and secondary infections. When consuming fruits, animals often damage the bark and branches of trees, which negatively affects the overall health of the orchards and the plant productivity in subsequent years.

Protection measures against this pest include the use of mechanical barriers, such as mesh fences or electric fencing around plantations. Also, the use of deterrents based on sound signals and the deployment of guard dogs are effective. While trapping and relocating individuals is practiced in some regions, the key method remains creating conditions that restrict animal access to fields.