Social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) associated with Eucalyptus sp. plantations from an Altitude Field in Southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract. In Brazil, there is little information about social wasp communities in Altitude Fields (Campos de Altitude), a phytophysiognomy of the Atlantic Forest with a high rate of endemism, which is being altered and reduced in area by human activities, such as the cultivation of Eucalyptus spp. T...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Taiguara Pereira de Gouvêa, Marcos Magalhães de Souza, Mireile Reis dos Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedad Chilena de Entomología 2023-04-01
Series:Revista Chilena de Entomología
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Online Access:https://www.biotaxa.org/rce/article/view/81654
Description
Summary:Abstract. In Brazil, there is little information about social wasp communities in Altitude Fields (Campos de Altitude), a phytophysiognomy of the Atlantic Forest with a high rate of endemism, which is being altered and reduced in area by human activities, such as the cultivation of Eucalyptus spp. Therefore, the present study aimed to inventory the species of Polistinae (Vespidae) presente in an Altitude Field associated with Eucalyptus sp. plantations in the municipality of Poços de Caldas, Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study was conducted in Morro do Ferro, central region of the Poços de Caldas Plateau, from 2020 to 2021, using active search and Malaise traps. Thirteen species of social wasps were recorded, which have a wide geographic distribution, and explore anthropic environments, such as agricultural areas, pasture and Eucalyptus sp. plantations. Many of them behave as synanthropic, suggesting this altitude field to be a degraded area in Poços Caldas, MG. However, further studies must be carried out in the region, in order to know and preserve these remaining ecosystems.
ISSN:0034-740X
0718-8994