Predatory behavior of Pachodynerus brevithorax (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Eumeninae) on endophytic herbivore beetles in the Brazilian tropical savanna.

摘要

Wasps are important predators spread all over the world, but their interactions with other species are not well studied in tropical region, especially concerning the Eumeninae group in the Neotropical area. Here I describe the predatory behavior of Pachodynerus brevithorax Saussure, 1853 (Vespidae, Eumeninae) on larvae of endophytic beetles that feed and develop inside the buds of Banisteriopsis malifolia (Malpighiaceae), a common shrub of Brazilian tropical savanna, the Cerrado. The observations were performed directly and by digital movies in flowering season and during the peak of wasp activities. Results suggest hunting activity of P. brevithorax is essential for the control of three herbivore species of Anthonomus (Curculionidae) and for the maintenance of B. malifolia population in the field area. The use of Coleoptera larvae to provision the young wasp cell is new information for the genus Pachodynerus.