Habitat Complexity andCaryocar brasilienseHerbivores (Insecta: Arachnida: Araneae)

Abstract

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Architectural diversity and galling insects on Caryocar brasiliense trees

“…The higher numbers of the predator Z. armillatus on C. brasiliense trees at the University Campus might be due to more leaves galled by Eurytoma sp. on these trees than in pastureland and cerrado 35 . Zelus armillatus preyed on Eurytoma galls, which can cover up to 70% of the leaf area 11 , 26 .…”

“…The similar abundance, richness and diversity of the second group on C. brasiliense with different RHW is due to the fact that they are generalists with little dependence on a single prey, contrary to most parasitoids 32 and these trees support greater diversity of free-feeding herbivore insects 33 – 36 . The higher percentages of defoliation and populations of defoliators and ants on C. brasiliense trees may be explained by the impact of predatory ants, bugs and spiders reducing defoliators and leaf miner insects on wider crown plants 35 . Variations in abundance and diversity of sucking insects and their natural enemies on wide crown trees and of the number of species and individuals of natural enemies is similar to those for Dikrella caryocar (Coelho, Leite & Da-Silva) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), of ants, predator thrips and lady beetles as well as with higher values on these C. brasiliense trees 36 .…”

<b>Effects of environmental and architectural diversity of <i>Caryocar brasiliense</i> (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) on <i>Edessa ruformaginata</i> (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and its biology

“…The abundance of E. rufomarginata was correlated positively with aluminum and organic matter contents and negatively with pH values. Leite et al (2012d) found a positive effect of aluminum concentration on the percentage of defoliation and on the number of lepidopteran leaf miners but found a negative correlation with soil pH and the percentage of defoliation and the number of lepidopteran leaf miners on C. brasiliense trees. The higher numbers of E. rufomarginata were observed on the C. brasiliense trees that had the largest canopies.…”

Does environmental diversity affect hymenopteran galling insects and their natural enemies on Caryocar brasiliense trees (Caryocaraceae)?

“…and sp.1 (Araneidae); and Anyphaenidae are important generalist predators (see Leite et al 2013). The ants Crematogaster sp., Pseudomyrmex termitarius Smith, 1855, and Camponotus novograndensis Mayr, 1870 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the predatory thrips Holopothrips sp., Trybonia intermedius Bagnall, 1910 andTrybonia mendesi Moulton, 1933 (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) can reduce defoliation by lepidopteran leaf miners and/or sucking insects (Leite et al 2012a(Leite et al , 2012b(Leite et al , 2012c, and this factor may favor the colonization of the leaves on C. brasiliense by galling insects (free space). Zelus armillatus (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is an important predator of Eurytoma Illiger, 1807 galls as well as defoliators and leafmining insects (Leite et al 2012a(Leite et al , 2012c(Leite et al , 2013.…”

“…Epipolops sp. (Hemiptera: Geocoridae) can also prey on defoliators and leaf-mining insects (Leite et al 2012a is also a parasitoid of this galling insect and apparently competition occur between these two species for their galling host (Leite et al 2013). III) Hyperparasitoids: Quadrastichus sp.…”