Abstract De Egea Elsam, J. & M. T. Amela García. 2023. Floral biology, reproductive system and floral visitors of Vitex cymosa (Lamiaceae). Darwiniana, nueva serie 11(1): 246-264. Vitex cymosa Bert. ex Spreng. (Lamiaceae) is a native species of tropical and subtropical Central and South America. Its medicinal, antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties are noteworthy and widely studied. This study aims to contribute towards the knowledge of the reproductive biology of V. cymosa, through: the determination of the reproductive system; the description of reproductive morphological attributes (flower, fruit, pollen and nectary), attractants and floral phases, as well as the record and function of floral visitors. Vitex cymosa presents melitophilic floral traits: diurnal anthesis, bluish coloration, bilabiate structural type, presence of visual guides in the corolla indicating the location of the reward (nectar), and a soft, sweet and pleasant aroma to humans. The pollen has pollenkit and is deposited nototribically on the pollinators. The nectary is of gynoecial origin, the nectar is released through nectarostomes located on the apex of the ovary, remaining available even after corolla abscition, as a post-floral nectary; such zone is distinguished by a purple coloration, different from that of the rest of this organ, which grows basipetally as the fruit develops. The reproductive system of V. cymosa is mixed, resulting in more than 75% of fructification, through both allogamy mediated by pollinators and spontaneous self-pollination, presenting a slight hercogamy that would contribute to cross-pollination. Eleven species of floral visitors were recorded, all belonging to the Class Insecta. Among these floral visitors, Apis mellifera was the most frequent species, and along with other species of native bees (of the genera Bombus, Centris, Plebeia, Tetragonisca, Trigona), wasps and butterflies, they would be pollinators when they visit legitimately (in the case of the hymenopterans, as some of them thieve pollen). Despite this visitor assembly, the most important pollinators are the bees, which coincides with the melitophilic characteristics of the flowers. The nectar exposed in flowers where the corolla has already fallen, more accessible to some bees and to the wasps, would contribute to greater attraction to pollinators, as well as predatory insects of herbivores of the developing fruits.

Resumen De Egea Elsam, J. & M. T. Amela García. 2023. Biología floral, sistema reproductivo y visitantes florales de Vitex cymosa (Lamiaceae). Darwiniana, nueva serie 11(1): 246-264. Vitex cymosa Bert. ex Spreng. (Lamiaceae) es una especie nativa de América Central y del Sur tropical y subtropical, reconocida por sus propiedades medicinales, antioxidantes, antimicóticas y antibacteriales, ampliamente estudiadas. El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo contribuir al conocimiento de la biología reproductiva de V. cymosa, a través de: la determinación del sistema reproductivo; la descripción de atributos morfológicos reproductivos (flor, fruto, polen y nectario), atractivos y fases florales, así como el registro y función de los visitantes florales. Vitex cymosa presenta rasgos florales melitófilos: antesis diurna, coloración azulada, tipo estructural bilabiado, con guías visuales indicativas de la ubicación de la recompensa (néctar) y aroma suave, dulce y agradable al humano. El polen posee cemento polínico y se deposita en forma nototriba sobre los polinizadores. El nectario es de origen ginoecial, el néctar se libera a través de nectarostomas ubicados sobre el ápice del ovario, quedando disponible incluso después de abscisa la corola, a modo de nectario post-floral; dicha zona se distingue por una coloración púrpura, diferente a la del resto del gineceo, que crece hacia la base a medida que el fruto se desarrolla. El sistema reproductivo de V. cymosa es mixto, fructificando en más del 75%, tanto por alogamia mediada por polinizadores como por autopolinización espontánea, presentando una leve hercogamia que contribuiría a la polinización cruzada. Se registraron 11 especies de visitantes florales, todas pertenecientes a la Clase Insecta. De los visitantes florales, Apis mellifera fue la especie más frecuente, y junto a otras especies de abejas nativas registradas (de los géneros Bombus, Centris, Plebeia, Tetragonisca, Trigona), avispas y mariposas, serían polinizadores cuando visitan en forma legítima (en el caso de los himenópteros, ya que algunos hurtan polen). A pesar de este ensamble de visitantes, los polinizadores más importantes son las abejas, en coincidencia con los caracteres melitófilos de las flores. El néctar expuesto en flores donde ya se cayó la corola, más accesible a algunas abejas y a las avispas, contribuiría a una mayor atracción de los polinizadores, así como a insectos predadores de herbívoros de los frutos en desarrollo.

Resumen Las avispas parasitoides Clistopyga misionensis Bordera & Sääksjärvi e Hymenoepimecis pucallpina Pádua & Sääksjärvi fueron descritas recientemente y solo se conocen de Perú y Argentina. Para ambas especies, los machos siguen siendo desconocidos. Aquí proporcionamos el primer registro de H. pucallpina para Brasil, Mato Grosso, y el macho se describe e ilustra por primera vez. También proporcionamos un nuevo registro de distribución de C. misionensis para Brasil, Minas Gerais. Se proporciona un mapa de distribución e imágenes.

Abstract The parasitoid wasps Clistopyga misionensis Bordera & Sääksjärvi and Hymenoepimecis pucallpina Pádua & Sääksjärvi were described recently and were known only from Peru and Argentina, respectively. The males of both species remain unknown. Here, we provide the first record of H. pucallpina for Brazil, Mato Grosso, and its male is described and illustrated for the first time. We also provide a new distribution record of C. misionensi for Brazil, Minas Gerais. A distribution map and images are provided.

The woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, is a global pest of pines. Although it is known to be attracted to light and possess sexually dimorphic body colouration, the visual ecology of S. noctilio is poorly understood. Photoreceptor sensitivity of the compound eyes in S. noctilio is not sexually dimorphic. These previous results suggest that colour tracking of one sex by the other might not be an important input for mate searching. This study aimed to expand our knowledge of the visual system of S. noctilio by means of i) morphological description of the compound eyes and ocelli; and ii) semi-field behavioural tests of the colour preference of newly emerged wasps. Eye and ocellus morphological features were investigated in 21 males and 21 females. Measurement of male and female median ocellus diameter, compound eye surface area, number of ommatidia and facet diameter varied from 0.22 to 0.40 mm, 0.589 to 2.277 mm², 1820 to 4207 and 1.88 × 10-2 to 2.82 × 10-2 mm, respectively. In addition, all traits significantly correlated with body size. Male and female wasps emerged from infested host material in a flight cage with five traps, each reflecting a different colour. Analysis of trap captures did not identify any colour preference, but an effect of trap location was observed with traps in the north-eastern position capturing more woodwasps, suggesting that other factors, e.g., global landmarks or other non-colour visual cues might guide initial flight behaviour of S. noctilio.

Wild olive seed weevil, Anchonocranus oleae Marshall, larvae as well as oviposition and feeding damage were recorded in cultivated olives during a recent study on olive seed wasps in South Africa. Prematurely dropped fruit and fruit picked at harvest in two orchards near Stellenbosch and Agter-Paarl were examined regularly for olive seed wasp infestation over three seasons. In addition, olives were collected over a wider area of the olive growing regions of the Western Cape province for a survey to determine olive seed wasp distribution. DNA barcoding confirmed the identity of weevil larvae in kernels as A. oleae. The number of A. oleae larvae found in olive seeds and the number of olives with weevil oviposition or feeding damage were low. The presence of larvae and weevil damage in two orchards in the survey with no wild olive trees in close proximity suggest that the weevil could breed and persist in cultivated olive orchards. Currently A. oleae is not of economic concern, but if infested olives are discarded at harvest and left in orchards, the weevils could complete their development in the kernels and numbers could increase to damaging levels.

Abstract The insect group is one of the most diverse on the planet and due to habitat degradation, many of these species are becoming extinct, leaving a lack of information on the basic biology of each one. In this study, previously unseen information about nesting biology is revealed in Auplopus subaurarius trap nests. This is a solitary ectoparasitoid spider wasp that nests in preexisting cavities. We used a trap-nesting methodology to sample A. subaurarius in two different sampling periods (2017/2018 and 2020/2021) in three types of environment (forest, grassland and Eucalyptus plantation). In our study, the A. subaurarius nest building was more frequent during the hottest months of the year (November to March), with its highest abundance found within natural forest areas and in Eucalyptus plantation than in grassland areas. In addition, the species had two development times: a short one (three months) and a delayed one (up to one year). Moreover, females were larger than males (weight and size) and the species’ sex ratio had a tendency toward female production. Auplopus subaurarius presented seven natural enemy species: Ceyxia longispina, Caenochrysis crotonis, Photochryptus sp.1, Photochryptus sp.2, Messatoporus sp., Ephuta icema and Sphaeropthalma sp. We emphasize the importance of wooded environments to maintain the A. subaurarius populations and their associated interactors, both spiders and natural enemies, as these environments can provide better life conditions than grassland areas. Furthermore, other solitary wasps that may have the same lifestyle of A. subaurarius can also be improved by natural forest conservation and by good silviculture plantation planning, which should consider ecological aspects of Atlantic Forest landscapes.

Resumo O grupo dos insetos é um dos mais diversos do planeta e devido à degradação dos habitats, muitas dessas espécies estão sendo extintas, deixando uma carência de informações sobre a biologia básica de cada uma. Neste estudo, informações inéditas sobre a biologia de nidificação em ninhos-armadilha de Auplopus subaurarius são reveladas. Essa espécie trata-se de uma vespa solitária ectoparasitóide de aranhas, que nidifica em cavidades preexistentes. Utilizamos a metodologia de ninhos-armadilha para amostrar A. subaurarius em dois períodos amostrais diferentes (2017/2018 e 2020/2021), em três tipos de ambientes (floresta, campo e plantação de Eucalyptus). Em nosso estudo, a nidificação de A. subaurarius foi mais frequente nos meses mais quentes do ano (Novembro a Março), com maior abundância encontrada em áreas de floresta nativa e em plantações de Eucalyptus comparados à áreas de campo. Além disso, a espécie apresentou dois tempos de desenvolvimento, um curto (três meses) e um longo (até um ano). Além disso, as fêmeas foram maiores que os machos (peso e tamanho) e a razão sexual da espécie apresentou tendência à produção de fêmeas. Auplopus subaurarius apresentou sete espécies de inimigos naturais: Ceyxia longispina, Caenochrysis crotonis, Photochryptus sp.1, Photochryptus sp.2, Messatoporus sp., Ephuta icema e Sphaeropthalma sp. Ressaltamos a importância de ambientes arborizados para manutenção das populações de A. subaurarius e seus interagentes associados, tanto aranhas quanto inimigos naturais, uma vez que estes ambientes podem apresentar melhores condições de vida comparados à áreas campestres. Além disso, outras vespas solitárias que podem ter o mesmo estilo de vida de A. subaurarius, também podem ser afetadas positivamente pela conservação das florestas naturais e por um bom planejamento de plantações de silvicultura, as quais devem considerar os aspectos ecológicos das paisagens da Mata Atlântica.

Abstract During an inventory of Ichneumonidae wasps in the urban area of São Carlos, São Paulo, using Malaise traps, was found the first records in Brazil for Lissonota pseudeleboea Ugalde and Gauld, 2002 and Syzeuctus vedoris Ugalde and Gauld, 2002 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Banchinae) and was described and illustrated a new species of Zonopimpla Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae).

Resumo Durante um inventário de vespas Ichneumonidae na área urbana de São Carlos, São Paulo, usando armadilhas Malaise, foram encontrados os primeiros registros no Brasil para Lissonota pseudeleboea Ugalde e Gauld, 2002 e Syzeuctus vedoris Ugalde e Gauld, 2002 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Banchinae) e foi descrita e ilustrada uma nova espécie de Zonopimpla Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae).

Abstract Creagrura nigripes Townes, 1971 is recorded for the first time for the Brazilian Amazon, in the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Pará and Roraima. Ptilobaptus cinctus Townes, 1971 is registered for the first time in Brazil. Additionally, diagnosis, digital images, distribution maps, as well as comments on intraspecific morphological variations in the species are provided.

ABSTRACT: Strawberry is one of the most socially and economically important small fruits in Brazil, with strong demand by the food industry driving high levels of production. However, phytosanitary problems, especially insect damage, can hamper strawberry cultivation. A pest of great concern is the strawberry sap beetle, Lobiopa insularis (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), which damages the fruits. Chemical control has not been effective against L. insularis, as it makes harvesting and marketing the product unfeasible. Parasitoids have been effectively utilized to control various strawberry pests and support sustainable production. We report the occurrence of the wasp Cerchysiella insularis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) as a parasite of L. insularis on strawberries in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil. Samples of strawberries (San Andreas cultivar) attacked by L. insularis were collected from February to March, 2019. Lobiopa insularis larvae were individually placed in rearing pots, fed on San Andreas strawberries, and checked weekly for symptoms of parasitism or parasitoid emergence. Parasitism rates were 33.85% in March and 45.90% in February. The sex ratio varied between 0.88 and 0.86. All parasitized larvae were infested by C. insularis. The natural parasitism rate above 33% and high sex ratio of C. insularis in strawberry crops indicated that it may have the potential in the control of L. insularis.

RESUMO: O morango é uma das pequenas frutas de maior importância social e econômica no Brasil, com forte demanda pela indústria alimentícia, o que impulsiona altos níveis de produção. No entanto, problemas fitossanitários, principalmente danos causados por insetos, podem dificultar o cultivo do morango. Uma praga de grande preocupação é a broca do morangueiro, Lobiopainsularis (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), que danifica os frutos. O controle químico não tem sido eficaz contra L. insularis, pois inviabiliza a colheita e comercialização do produto. Os parasitoides têm sido efetivamente utilizados para controlar várias pragas de morangueiro, em um sistema de produção sustentável. Relatamos a ocorrência da vespa Cerchysiella insularis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) como parasita de L. insularis em morangos em São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brasil. Amostras de morangos (cultivar San Andreas), atacados por L. insularis, foram coletadas durante o período de fevereiro a março de 2019. As larvas de L. insularis foram colocadas individualmente em vasos de criação, alimentadas com morangos San Andreas e verificadas semanalmente quanto aos sintomas de parasitismo e à emergência de parasitoides de C. insularis. As taxas de parasitismo de C. insularis foram de 33,85%, em março, e 45,90%, em fevereiro. A razão sexual variou entre 0,88 e 0,86. Todas as larvas parasitadas estavam infestadas por C. insularis. A taxa de parasitismo natural acima de 33% e alta razão sexual de C. insularis em cultivos de morangueiro indicam que este parasitoide pode ter potencial no controle de L. insularis.

Abstract Leurus Townes, 1946 is a small genus of Metopiinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), consisting of 13 described species distributed in the Neotropics and the Nearctic region. The present work aims to contribute to the taxonomic knowledge of Leurus in Brazil. A total of 109 specimens were identified and 15 literature records were analyzed. The genus geographical occurrence was evaluated according to data obtained from the literature and labels of analyzed specimens. Five species of Leurus were identified for the Brazilian fauna: L. angustignathus, L. caeruliventris, L. discus, L. gracius and L. nostrus. New municipality records of occurrence were made for L. angustignathus in the state of São Paulo, L. caeruliventris in the states of Bahia, Distrito Federal, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Piauí and Rondônia; for, L. discus in the state of Alagoas and São Paulo, and L. gracius in the state of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. Females of L. angustignathus and L. gracius were described for the first time in the present study. The genitalia of males of L. caeruliventris, L. discus and L. gracius were described and illustrated for the first time.

Abstract In this work, we report for the first time the occurrence of the parasitoid wasp Brachymeria amenocles (Walker, 1846) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) associated with the larvae of the flesh fly, Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), in Brazil. This parasitoid species was collected together with the species Brachymeria podagrica (Fabricius, 1787), in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, geographically located in the Southeast region of Brazil, in larvae of the same host species reared in the same attraction substrate, behaving as solitary parasitoids. A trap containing putrefying sardine was exposed for 48 h, in the upper part of a house, located in Vila Isabel, an urban area. The larvae collected were reared in the laboratory without control of environmental conditions. A total of three adult parasitoid wasps of the species B. podagrica, and nine adult parasitoid wasps of the species B. amenocles emerged from 12 host pupae, resulting in a prevalence of parasitoidism of 4.8% and 14.5%, respectively. Developing parasitoids at the pupal phase were observed in another 34 host pupae dissected.

Abstract The Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, northern Minas Gerais, is located in the Cerrado, a global hotspot, and the literature lacks information about its communities of social wasps, insects that perform numerous services for the functioning of ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct an inventory of social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) in the Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, and compare its richness and composition with three other fully protected conservation units in northern Minas Gerais and Vale do Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais. A total of 41 species of 14 genera of social wasps were recorded, including a new occurrence in the state: Mischocyttarus campestris Raw, 1985. The presence of distinct social wasp communities in the Cerrado and Caatinga conservation units analyzed in this study, reinforces and justifies the creation of these fully protected areas, which ensure the conservation of this biological heritage and the environmental services provided by these taxa, besides providing subsidies for the management and sustainable use of the natural resources of these conservation units.

Resumen O Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, norte de Minas Gerais, inserido no Cerrado, hotspot mundial, carece de informações sobre a comunidade de vespas sociais, insetos que desempenham inúmeros serviços para o funcionamento dos ecossistemas. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um inventário de vespas sociais (Vespidae: Polistinae) no Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, além de comparar sua riqueza e composição com à de outras três Unidades de Conservação de proteção integral no Norte e no Vale do Jequitinhonha no estado de Minas Gerais. Foram registradas 41 espécies de 14 gêneros de vespas sociais, com um novo registro de ocorrência para o estado, Mischocyttarus campestris Raw, 1985. A presença de comunidades distintas de vespas sociais nas Unidades de Conservação no Cerrado e Caatinga, analisadas no presente estudo, reforça e justifica a criação dessas áreas de proteção integral, que assegura a conservação desse patrimônio biológico, bem como os serviços ambientais prestados por esses táxons, além de fornecer subsídios para o manejo e uso sustentável dos recursos naturais dessas Unidades de Conservação.

Abstract Background: The composition of the venom from solitary wasps is poorly known, although these animals are considered sources of bioactive substances. Until the present moment, there is only one proteomic characterization of the venom of wasps of the family Pompilidae and this is the first proteomic characterization for the genus Pepsis. Methods: To elucidate the components of Pepsis decorata venom, the present work sought to identify proteins using four different experimental conditions, namely: (A) crude venom; (B) reduced and alkylated venom; (C) trypsin-digested reduced and alkylated venom, and; (D) chymotrypsin-digested reduced and alkylated venom. Furthermore, three different mass spectrometers were used (Ion Trap-Time of Flight, Quadrupole-Time of Flight, and Linear Triple Quadruple). Results: Proteomics analysis revealed the existence of different enzymes related to the insect’s physiology in the venom composition. Besides toxins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), hyaluronidase, and Kunitz-type inhibitors were also identified. Conclusion: The data showed that the venom of Pepsis decorata is mostly composed of proteins involved in the metabolism of arthropods, as occurs in parasitic wasps, although some classical toxins were recorded, and among them, for the first time, ACE was found in the venom of solitary wasps. This integrative approach expanded the range of compounds identified in protein analyses, proving to be efficient in the proteomic characterization of little-known species. It is our understanding that the current work will provide a solid base for future studies dealing with other Hymenoptera venoms.

ABSTRACT. This study is focused on the parasitic wasps Bephrata Cameron, 1884 (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae), a small and poorly represented genus in entomological collections. Herein we report new geographical records to Bephrata bahiae (Ashmead, 1904), B. bouceki Gates & Hanson, 2009, B. cultriformis (Ashmead, 1894), B. leptogaster Gates & Hanson, 2009, B. lorraineae Gates & Hanson, 2009, B. ruficollis Cameron 1884 and B. ticos Gates & Hanson, 2009. Except for B. bahiae, B. chica Gates & Hanson, 2009 and B. christeri Gates & Hanson, 2009, all other studied species were recorded for the first time to Brazil. Additionally, we provide maps with the geographical distribution of the studied species based on the new records and literature data, and an identification key for the species recorded in Brazil. With these new records there are currently nine species of Bephrata known in Brazil.

RESUMO. Sinopse das vespas parasitoides Bephrata (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae) no Brasil. O presente estudo tem foco nos Bephrata Cameron, 1884 (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae), um pequeno gênero de vespas parasitoides pouco representado em coleções entomológicas. Aqui relatamos novos registros geográficos para Bephrata bahiae (Ashmead, 1904), B. bouceki Gates & Hanson, 2009, B. cultriformis (Ashmead, 1894), B. leptogaster Gates & Hanson, 2009, B. lorraineae Gates & Hanson, 2009, B. ruficollis Cameron 1884 and B. ticos Gates & Hanson, 2009. À exceção de B. bahiae, B. chica Gates & Hanson, 2009 e B. christeri Gates & Hanson, 2009, as demais espécies estudadas foram registradas pela primeira vez para o Brasil. Adicionalmente fornecemos mapas com a distribuição geográfica das espécies estudadas baseados em novos registros e dados da literatura e uma chave de identificação para espécies conhecidas para o Brasil. Com esses novos registros há, na atualidade, nove espécies de Bephrata conhecidas no Brasil.

ABSTRACT A new species of Amazonian ectoparasitoid wasp, Stygocampsomeris manauara sp. nov., is described almost 50 years after being collected in the region of Manaus, in the central Brazilian Amazon, and stored in the invertebrate collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (Brazil). We provide a detailed morphological description and illustrations of the female, a diagnostic comparison of the new species with Stygocampsomeris servillei Lepeletier, and a key for the identification of females of Stygocampsomeris.

RESUMO Uma nova espécie amazônica de vespa ectoparasitóide, Stygocampsomeris manauara sp. nov., é descrita quase 50 anos após ter sido coletada em Manaus, na Amazônia central brasileira e armazenada na coleção de invertebrados do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (Brasil). Apresentamos uma descrição morfológica detalhada e ilustrações da fêmea, uma comparação diagnóstica da nova espécie com Stygocampsomeris servillei Lepeletier e uma chave de identificação para as fêmeas de Stygocampsomeris.

ABSTRACT Tropical forests are three-dimensional with the presence of numerous micro-environments formed by horizontal and vertical gradients. Such micro-environments can affect the nesting preference of organisms, including the trap-nesting Hymenoptera. Bees and wasps are key elements in ecosystems and are considered as sensitive to environmental changes, and trap-nests sampling methodology is widely used in their ecological and conservation studies. However, many uncertainties remain about nesting site preferences. From this perspective, our aim is to assess the diversity descriptors of trap-nesting Hymenoptera in different micro-environments. The sampling was conducted on three micro-environments (canopy, understory and treefall gaps) replicated on ten permanent plots within a Brazilian Atlantic forest hotspot. In each micro-environment, we installed trap-nest stations made by a set of twenty bamboo artificial nests. We found 762 brood cells from ten wasp and five bee species. The rarefaction curves indicate the lower species richness in understory stations, while treefall gaps and canopy stations were not significantly different. We analyzed abundance, mortality and parasitism rates using generalized linear models, but only abundance varies significantly among micro-environments. Our data indicates that trap-nesting Hymenoptera prefer to nest in micro-environments with higher exposure of sunlight. Canopy and treefall gap assemblages are consistently more abundant and diverse than understory probably due the higher temperature and lower humidity. On the other hand, mortality, parasitism rates, and the species composition were similar among environments. Our hypothesis is that the species composition was not affected as these species have a foraging range that encompasses nearby micro-environments.