Aphaereta pallipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Dirhinus anthracia (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) associated with Peckia (Euboettcheria) collusor (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Brazil.

Flies of the Sarcophagidae family are widely distributed in the world, occupying different habitats. Some species have a high degree of synanthropy and are therefore often found in households in the urban environment. In Brazil, there is still little information related to the natural enemies of these insects in the urban environment, where population control is strictly chemical. Therefore, larvae and pupae of Peckia (Euboettcheria) collusor (Curran and Walley) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) species were exposed in an urbanized location, and the presence and prevalence of parasitoids in the natural control of these immature stages was evaluated. We report for the first time the species Aphaereta pallipes (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Dirhinus anthracia Walker (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), associated with P. (E.) collusor, highlighting the importance of these parasitoids in natural control in the urban environment, in addition to expanding the list of hosts for both parasitoid species and the distribution of this parasitoid-host interaction for Brazil and the Neotropical region.

Bird visits and resource use in Butia odorata (Arecaceae) palm groves in southern Brazil / Visitas de pássaros e uso de recursos em palmares de Butia odorata (Arecaceae) no sul do Brasil

We evaluated avian use of a palm grove of Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick in the Brazilian Pampa. We recorded bird species richness, frequency of visits, and feeding behavior in palms trees with different flower and fruit availability. From January 2018 to February 2019, we observed 1,094 bird visits in 347 palm trees and identified 53 species. The most frequent visitors were Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766), Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, 1783) and Zonotrichia capensis (Statius Muller, 1776). Perching was the most frequent use of palm trees by the birds (79%). Our hypothesis that an increase in the availability of flowers and fruits will be followed by a larger number of visits by insectivorous and frugivorous birds was not corroborated. In addition, there was a higher number of species visiting palm trees with no resources. The species composition and the number of guilds of visiting birds varied seasonally, but independently from resources availability. Bird richness, number of visits, and time length of visits did not vary between flowering/fruiting and resourceless palm trees. Based on this we argue that the main contribution of Butia odorata to the establishment of bird assemblages in palm groves is their role in offering perching, sheltering, and nesting sites.

Avaliamos as visitas das aves nas palmeiras Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick. em um palmar localizado no Pampa brasileiro. Registramos as espécies de aves, a frequência de visitas, e seu comportamento alimentar em palmeiras com diferentes disponibilidades de flores e frutos. Entre janeiro de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019 observamos 1.094 visitas em 347 palmeiras e registramos 53 espécies de aves. As visitas mais frequentes foram feitas por Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766), Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, 1783) e Zonotrichia capensis (Statius Muller, 1776). O principal uso das palmeiras foi o uso como poleiro (79%). Nossa hipótese de que o aumento de oferta de flores e frutos seria acompanhado por um maior número de visitas de aves insetívoras e frugívoras não foi corroborada. Além disso, houve um maior número de espécies visitando as palmeiras sem recursos do que as com recursos. A riqueza de espécies, o número de visitas, bem como a duração das visitas não variaram entre as palmeiras com e sem flores ou frutos. Com isso nós acreditamos que a principal contribuição da Butia odorata no palmar para o estabelecimento da avifauna está relaciona com a oferta de poleiros, abrigos e sítios para nidificação.

Bird visits and resource use in Butia odorata (Arecaceae) palm groves in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT We evaluated avian use of a palm grove of Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick in the Brazilian Pampa. We recorded bird species richness, frequency of visits, and feeding behavior in palms trees with different flower and fruit availability. From January 2018 to February 2019, we observed 1,094 bird visits in 347 palm trees and identified 53 species. The most frequent visitors were Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766), Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, 1783) and Zonotrichia capensis (Statius Muller, 1776). Perching was the most frequent use of palm trees by the birds (79%). Our hypothesis that an increase in the availability of flowers and fruits will be followed by a larger number of visits by insectivorous and frugivorous birds was not corroborated. In addition, there was a higher number of species visiting palm trees with no resources. The species composition and the number of guilds of visiting birds varied seasonally, but independently from resources availability. Bird richness, number of visits, and time length of visits did not vary between flowering/fruiting and resourceless palm trees. Based on this we argue that the main contribution of Butia odorata to the establishment of bird assemblages in palm groves is their role in offering perching, sheltering, and nesting sites.

RESUMO Visitas de pássaros e uso de recursos em palmares de Butia odorata (Arecaceae) no sul do Brasil. Avaliamos as visitas das aves nas palmeiras Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick. em um palmar localizado no Pampa brasileiro. Registramos as espécies de aves, a frequênc ia de visitas, e seu comportamento alimentar em palmeiras com diferentes disponibilidades de flores e frutos. Entre janeiro de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019 observamos 1.094 visitas em 347 palmeiras e registramos 53 espécies de aves. As visitas mais frequentes foram feitas por Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766), Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, 1783) e Zonotrichia capensis (Statius Muller, 1776). O principal uso das palmeiras foi o uso como poleiro (79%). Nossa hipótese de que o aumento de oferta de flores e frutos seria acompanhado por um maior número de visitas de aves insetívoras e frugívoras não foi corroborada. Além disso, houve um maior número de espécies visitando as palmeiras sem recursos do que as com recursos. A riqueza de espécies, o número de visitas, bem como a duração das visitas não variaram entre as palmeiras com e sem flores ou frutos. Com isso nós acreditamos que a principal contribuição da Butia odorata no palmar para o estabelecimento da avifauna está relaciona com a oferta de poleiros, abrigos e sítios para nidificação.

Bird visits and resource use in Butia odorata (Arecaceae) palm groves in southern Brazil / Visitas de pássaros e uso de recursos em palmares de Butia odorata (Arecaceae) no sul do Brasil

We evaluated avian use of a palm grove of Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick in the Brazilian Pampa. We recorded bird species richness, frequency of visits, and feeding behavior in palms trees with different flower and fruit availability. From January 2018 to February 2019, we observed 1,094 bird visits in 347 palm trees and identified 53 species. The most frequent visitors were Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766), Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, 1783) and Zonotrichia capensis (Statius Muller, 1776). Perching was the most frequent use of palm trees by the birds (79%). Our hypothesis that an increase in the availability of flowers and fruits will be followed by a larger number of visits by insectivorous and frugivorous birds was not corroborated. In addition, there was a higher number of species visiting palm trees with no resources. The species composition and the number of guilds of visiting birds varied seasonally, but independently from resources availability. Bird richness, number of visits, and time length of visits did not vary between flowering/fruiting and resourceless palm trees. Based on this we argue that the main contribution of Butia odorata to the establishment of bird assemblages in palm groves is their role in offering perching, sheltering, and nesting sites.(AU)

Avaliamos as visitas das aves nas palmeiras Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick. em um palmar localizado no Pampa brasileiro. Registramos as espécies de aves, a frequência de visitas, e seu comportamento alimentar em palmeiras com diferentes disponibilidades de flores e frutos. Entre janeiro de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019 observamos 1.094 visitas em 347 palmeiras e registramos 53 espécies de aves. As visitas mais frequentes foram feitas por Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766), Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, 1783) e Zonotrichia capensis (Statius Muller, 1776). O principal uso das palmeiras foi o uso como poleiro (79%). Nossa hipótese de que o aumento de oferta de flores e frutos seria acompanhado por um maior número de visitas de aves insetívoras e frugívoras não foi corroborada. Além disso, houve um maior número de espécies visitando as palmeiras sem recursos do que as com recursos. A riqueza de espécies, o número de visitas, bem como a duração das visitas não variaram entre as palmeiras com e sem flores ou frutos. Com isso nós acreditamos que a principal contribuição da Butia odorata no palmar para o estabelecimento da avifauna está relaciona com a oferta de poleiros, abrigos e sítios para nidificação.(AU)

Lagged Population Growth in a Termite Host Colony: Cause or Consequence of Inquilinism?

The presence of foreign organisms in the colonies of social insects could affect energy allocation to growth and reproduction of these hosts. Highly specialized invaders of such long-lived hosts, however, can be selected to be less harmful. After all, it pays for these symbionts to keep their host's good health thereby prolonging cohabitation in the homeostatic environment of the termite colony. Here, we investigated such a hypothesis, focusing on populational parameters of a termite host sharing its nest with an obligatory termite inquiline. To this end, 19 natural colonies of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) were sampled and the (i) number of individuals, (ii) proportion of soldier/workers in the colonies, and (iii) presence/absence of obligatory inquiline Inquilinitermes microcerus (Silvestri, 1901) (Termitidae: Termitinae) were measured. Results revealed a negative correlation between the number of individuals and the proportion of soldier/workers in the host colonies with the presence of I. microcerus colonies. In search of causal mechanisms for such a correlation, we inspected life history traits of both, inquilines and hosts, hypothesizing that such a result could indicate either (i) a dampening effect of the inquiline upon its host population or (ii) the coincidence of the moment of inquiline infiltration with the natural reduction of C. cyphergaster populational growth at the onset of its reproductive phase.

30 years of research on insect galls in Brazil: a scientometric review

The first systematic studies on insect galls in Brazil date to the early 20th century, after which research on insect galls remained dormant in the country, with interest not reviving until the 1980s. The aim of this study was is to document historical trends in publications about insect galls in Brazil over the last 30 years. Papers about insect galls and galling species in Brazil published in peer-reviewed journals from 1988 to 2017 were compiled. A total of 1,378 papers were analyzed, of which 182 addressed insect galls in Brazil. The results showed that the number of publications on the subject has been increasing over the last 30 years, and especially in the last decade. The diversity of journals that published on the subject has also been increasing. The studies were concentrated on the following topics: ecology (94 papers), inventory (29) and taxonomy (27). Most of the insect gall inventories in Brazil took place in the Southeast Region (29 papers), followed by the Central-West and Northeast regions, with eight papers each. This study documents a trend toward increasing scientific production on insect galls in Brazil, but with significant geographical bias: the researchers involved are concentrated in the Southeast Brazilian region.

30 years of research on insect galls in Brazil: a scientometric review

The first systematic studies on insect galls in Brazil date to the early 20th century, after which research on insect galls remained dormant in the country, with interest not reviving until the 1980s. The aim of this study was is to document historical trends in publications about insect galls in Brazil over the last 30 years. Papers about insect galls and galling species in Brazil published in peer-reviewed journals from 1988 to 2017 were compiled. A total of 1,378 papers were analyzed, of which 182 addressed insect galls in Brazil. The results showed that the number of publications on the subject has been increasing over the last 30 years, and especially in the last decade. The diversity of journals that published on the subject has also been increasing. The studies were concentrated on the following topics: ecology (94 papers), inventory (29) and taxonomy (27). Most of the insect gall inventories in Brazil took place in the Southeast Region (29 papers), followed by the Central-West and Northeast regions, with eight papers each. This study documents a trend toward increasing scientific production on insect galls in Brazil, but with significant geographical bias: the researchers involved are concentrated in the Southeast Brazilian region.(AU)

Associations Between Macroinvertebrates and Paralemanea mexicana, an Endemic Freshwater Red Alga from a Mountain River in Central Mexico.

Macrophytes are common inhabitants of lotic environments and, depending on their morphological traits, possess adaptations that provide shelter to aquatic invertebrates against strong river flow and predators. They may also be used as a food source by macroinvertebrates. The main goal of this study was to determine the relationship between the red alga Paralemanea mexicana and its role as a shelter and/or food source for lotic macroinvertebrates. We also conducted research on the role of microhabitat and morphological variations of the alga in determining macroinvertebrate taxon abundance, diversity, and functional group composition in a high-current velocity river. Results showed that changes in cover and morphology of P. mexicana were mostly correlated with river current velocity, irradiance, and seasonal variation. In turn, these were related to changes in abundance and diversity of the associated macroinvertebrate community. In addition, six macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups were evaluated for associations with the red alga: filtering and gathering collectors, piercers, scrapers, herbivore shredders, and predators. The results showed that the Trichoptera Hydroptilidae genera Ochrotrichia and Metrichia use P. mexicana as a food source and case-building material. The Trichoptera Glossosomatidae Mortoniella uses the alga as a substrate. The biotic interactions between P. mexicana and associated macroinvertebrates reveal the importance of macrophytes as purveyors of substrate, as food and shelter for macroinvertebrates, and also as promoters of macroinvertebrate community diversity. In addition, it was shown that macroinvertebrate herbivory likely facilitates vegetative propagation of the red alga through increased release and germination of carpospores and new gametophytes.

Insect-plant interactions: new pathways to a better comprehension of ecological communities in Neotropical savannas / Interações inseto-planta: novos caminhos para a melhor compreensão das comunidades ecológicas nas savanas neotropicais

The causal mechanisms shaping and structuring ecological communities are among the most important themes in ecology. The study of insect-plant interactions in trophic nets is pointed out as basic to improve our knowledge on this issue. The cerrado tropical savanna, although extremely diverse, distributed in more than 20 percent of the Brazilian territory and filled up with rich examples of multitrophic interactions, is underexplored in terms of biodiversity interaction. Here, this ecosystem is suggested as valuable to the study of insect-plant interactions whose understanding can throw a new light at the ecological communities' theory. Three distinct systems: extrafloral nectary plants or trophobiont herbivores and the associated ant fauna; floral herbivores-predators-pollinators; and plants-forest engineers and associated fauna, will serve as examples to illustrate promising new pathways in cerrado. The aim of this brief text is to instigate young researchers, mainly entomologists, to initiate more elaborated field work, including experimental manipulations in multitrophic systems, to explore in an interactive way the structure that maintain preserved viable communities in the Neotropical savanna.

Os mecanismos causais que moldam e estruturam as comunidades ecológicas estão entre os mais importantes temas da ecologia. O estudo das interações inseto-planta nas redes tróficas é apontado como básico para alavancar nossos conhecimentos no assunto. Os cerrados (savana tropical), embora extremamente diversos e distribuídos em uma área superior a 20 por cento do território brasileiro, com ricos exemplos de interações multitróficas, são pouco explorados em termos de biodiversidade interativa. Aqui, esse ecossistema é sugerido como possuidor de bons modelos para o estudo das interações insetoplanta, cuja compreensão pode lançar uma nova luz na teoria das comunidades ecológicas. Três sistemas distintos: plantas com nectários extraflorais ou herbívoros trofobiontes e a fauna de formigas associadas; herbívoros florais-predadores-polinizadores; e planta-engenheiros das florestas e a fauna associada, irão servir de exemplo para ilustrar esses novos e promissores caminhos de investigação científica no cerrado. O objetivo principal desse breve texto é instigar jovens pesquisadores, principalmente entomologistas, a iniciarem estudos de campo mais elaborados, incluindo manipulações experimentais em sistemas multitróficos, para explorar de modo interativo a estrutura que mantém preservadas as comunidades das savanas neotropicais.