Diversity of Cetoniidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) in the Cerrado of Central Brazil

Abstract

Cetoniidae is a diverse family containing approximately 4,000 species, most of which feed on flowers and fruits. In Brazil, 72 species and 24 genera are recorded. Little is known about this family in the Central region of Brazil, and no research has previously been conducted in the ecologically important Cerrado biome. In this study, we evaluated the diversity and temporal variation of the Cetoniidae in an area of the Cerrado in the Federal District (Brazil) and verified whether the abundance and species richness were influenced by climatic variables. The study was carried out in an area of Cerrado sensu stricto at Água Limpa Farm in Brasília/DF. Beetles were collected weekly from October 2013 to September 2014 using 40 traps baited with banana and pineapple fermented with sugarcane juice. A total of 398 specimens comprising 8 genera and 15 species were collected. We observed temporal variation in abundance and richness of the Cetoniidae in direct relation to the climatic characteristics of the Cerrado, with a greater number of individuals and species appearing in the rainy season. Climatic variables such as temperature and humidity appear to have a significant effect on the diversity of Cetoniidae. This is the first study conducted on this family in Central Brazil.

Evaluation of baits for trapping of Neotropical flower chafer beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Cetoniinae)

“…() and Evangelista Neto et al . () found eight and 15 species, respectively. This indicates the high Cetoniinae diversity in the Cerrado biome and its importance for the conservation of these beetles.…”

“…; Evangelista Neto et al . ), the use of pineapple alone is not the most appropriate to sample the greatest biodiversity of Neotropical flower chafer beetles. Both pineapple and banana can be used as bait efficiently when mixed with sugarcane juice.…”

“…; Evangelista Neto et al . ). The second prediction is that there are differences in the species composition attracted to each bait type.…”

“…() sampled them in exotic pastures ( Urochloa spp., Poaceae), Atlantic Forest fragments and Eucalyptus plantations ( Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden) using traps baited with a mix of fermented sugarcane juice + pineapple, and Evangelista Neto et al . () sampled flower chafer beetles in Brazilian Cerrado fragments with traps baited with fermented sugarcane juice + banana or fermented sugarcane juice + pineapple. In contrast, in studies undertaken in other countries from distinct biogeographic regions, such as Mexico (North America), Benin and Ghana (both in Africa) and Italy (Europe), different types of wine or beer have been used for trapping of flower chafer beetles, used alone or to aid in the fermentation of ripe fruits, especially bananas (e.g.…”

Effects of fruit‐baited trap height on flower and leaf chafer scarab beetles sampling in Amazon rainforest

“…; Evangelista Neto et al . ). The larvae are predominantly saprophagous or saproxylophagous, being frequently found in decomposing wood, tree hollows (Micó et al .…”