ABSTRACT Surveying the diversity of stinging wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) provides an important information base to assist in biodiversity conservation and the management of forest reserves, as wasps depend on and maintain the population balance of several other groups of insects. In accordance, this paper presents an altitudinal survey of wasps (Hymenoptera, Aculeata, Vespidae) in Itatiaia National Park, Brazil, which is a protected area covered by Atlantic Forest in a mountainous landscape, with altitudes ranging between 540 and 2791 metres above sea level. Six altitudinal zones were sampled with entomological net, and the abundance and diversity of the species were indicated by zones. Field sampling took 288 h of discontinuous activity, which was randomly conducted from December 2012 to December 2013. A total of 398 individuals belonging to 29 species and two subfamilies (Eumeninae and Polistinae) were sampled. Eight species are new records for the state of Rio de Janeiro. We found a monotonic decrease in wasp diversity in relation to altitude, and the number of captured individuals differed significantly between the low and high altitudes.

ABSTRACT We register for first time the occurrence of Epipompilus tucumanus Evans, 1967 in Brazil, and record the spider Ariadna boliviana Simon, 1907 as its host. The observations were made in the National Park of Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The prey carriage mechanism is described for first time for this genus, and we provide a video showing this behavior.

RESUMO Formicidae inclui cerca de 16.000 nomes de espécies válidas em todo o mundo, com estimativas que excedem mais de 20.000 espécies. Atualmente 16 subfamílias foram descritas, sendo que na Região Neotropical são conhecidas 14 delas, representadas por mais de 4.000 espécies. Apresentamos a listagem de Formicidae para o estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, contemplada em inventários recentes realizados na Serra da Bodoquena, Pantanal, Chaco Brasileiro, Complexo Aporé-Sucuriú, Serra do Amolar e em uma Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Atlântica de Dourados, MS. Os dados aqui apresentados são referentes às coletas realizadas entre os anos de 2004 a 2012. O conjunto das amostras não foi padronizado para as respectivas áreas devido aos objetivos de cada estudo realizado. Até o momento foram identificadas para o estado 306 espécies em 71 gêneros de 11 subfamílias. Foram registradas pela primeira vez no estado as seguintes espécies consideradas raras para as fitofisionomias amostradas: Acanthostichus longinodis, Atta saltensis, Cryptomyrmex boltoni, Cylindromyrmex brasiliensis, Prionopelta punctulata, Probolomyrmex boliviensis, Probolomyrmex petiolatus, Procryptocerus montanus, Stegomyrmex olindae, Strumigenys xenochelyna e Tranopelta gilva. Três novas espécies foram registradas no estado: Asphinctanilloides sp. nov., Stigmatomma sp. nov. e Probolomyrmex sp. nov., em processo de descrição. Nossos estudos indicam a Serra da Bodoquena como a região mais diversa no estado para a fauna de Formicidae. Este trabalho tenta preencher a grande lacuna de conhecimento sobre a fauna de formigas neste mosaico de ecossistemas na região.

ABSTRACT Formicidae includes circa of 16.000 valid species names worldwide, with estimates exceed 20,000 species. Currently 16 subfamilies are described, and in the Neotropical region 14 of these are known, represented by over 4,000 species. We are presenting the checklist of Formicidae sampled in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, contemplated in recent surveys conducted in the Serra da Bodoquena, Pantanal, Brazilian Chaco, Aporé-Sucuriú complex, Serra do Amolar, and in a Semidecidual Forest of Dourados municipality. The data presented here refers at samples conducted between 2004 to 2012. The set of samples was not standardized for the respective areas due to the objectives of each study. Were indentified 306 species in 71 genera of 11 subfamilies. Were recorded for the first time in the state the following species considered rare for the vegetation types sampled: Acanthostichus longinodis, Atta saltensis, Cryptomyrmex boltoni, Cylindromyrmex brasiliensis, Prionopelta punctulata, Probolomyrmex boliviensis, Probolomyrmex petiolatus, Procryptocerus montanus, Stegomyrmex olindae, Strumigenys xenochelyna and Tranopelta gilva. Three new species were found in the Mato Grosso do Sul state: Asphinctanilloides sp. nov, Stigmatomma sp. nov and Probolomyrmex sp. nov. in description process. Our studies indicate Serra da Bodoquena as the most diverse region in the State for Formicidae. This work attempts to fill the large gap of knowledge on ant fauna in this mosaic of ecosystems on region.

Five new associations of parasitoids in potter wasps (Vespidae, Eumeninae). New associations of host and parasitoids involving potter wasps: Toxophora leucon and Pleurochrysis sp. were found parasitizing Cyphomenes anisitsii, Chrysis sp. (gr. intricans) was found parasitizing Minixi suffusum, Plega beardi was found parasitizing Montezumia pelagica sepulchralis and Macrosiagon sp. was found parasitizing Pachodynerus nasidens.