Decayed Wood Affecting the Attraction of the Pest Arboretum Termite Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae) to Resource Foods

Nasutitermes corniger shows preferential feeding for the wood of different tree species, but it is not known whether attractiveness is a function of the state of decay. This study examined the foraging behavior of N. corniger towards wood in different stages of decay. Wood was exposed to weather for durations of 0, 3, 6 or 9 months. Then the wood was placed in a standard foraging arena with termites. Exploration and recruitment behavior were recorded for 1 h. Separate bioassays were conducted for three species: Pinus elliottii, Eucalyptus grandis and Manilkara huberi. In the tests with P. elliottii and E. grandis, more individuals were recruited to wood decayed for 6 months  (191 and 185, respectively) than to undecayed wood (12 and 69, respectively). Similarly, more individuals were recruited to decayed M. huberi wood than undecayed, but only after 9 months (249 and 7, respectively). Decayed wood has therefore been demonstrated to be more attractive to N. corniger than undecayed wood. The different decomposition rates necessary to increase attractiveness may be explained by differences in wood density.

Susceptibility of five forest species to Coptotermes gestroi

Termites are well known for their ability to damage wood and various types of wood-derived products. This study was performed in the municipality of Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating the susceptibility of the wood of five different forest species to the activity of the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi. Wood stakes from the following forest species were used as specimens: pine (Pinus sp., Pinaceae), Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, Lecythidaceae), cabbage angelin (Andira inermis, Leguminosae-Papilionoideae), maçaranduba (Manilkara huberi, Sapotaceae) and pink ipê (Tabebuia avellanedae, Bignoniaceae). The stakes, with dimensions of 2 cm x 2 cm x 16 cm, were subjected to the activity of C. gestroi from September 2, 2006 to June 2, 2007. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four replications in an 11 x 5 x 3 factorial arrangement. Twelve stakes of each of the five forest species were installed at each of eleven sites, totaling 660 stakes. Three evaluations were performed, at 90, 180 and 270 days after stake installation. The results indicated that the pine, Brazil nut and cabbage angelin stakes were more susceptible to C. gestroi attack, while the pink ipê and maçaranduba stakes suffered no significant damage from this termite. There was a significant negative correlation between the wood consumption rate and the wood density of the species studied. The woods most susceptible to C. gestroi attack presented moderate to low densities and therefore less resistance, as in the case of pine and cabbage angelin

Ocupação de ninhos de cupins epígeos e arbóreos em fragmento de caatinga hipoxerófila em Bom Jesus-PI

The process of occupation in Northeast of Brazil started in the coast and internalized itself due to the development of extractive and agricultural production affecting caatinga biome. The expansion of land use, that accompanies the growth of human population, results in fragmentation of natural habitats with the formation of forest fragments of different sizes and shapes. Termites have fundamental importance in ecosystems due to their nesting and feeding behavior by exerting a strong influence on the processes of decomposition in nutrient cycling and on physical and chemical properties of soil. This study aimed to understand, to record and to supplement the understanding of the natural history of this group in Caatinga hypoxerophytic. The collection area comprises a hectare of preserved fragment, where collections were made straight across the area through the linear transect method, measurements of height, circumference, distance from the floor and girth in all nests of the hectare were taken. We identified 10 species belonging to 07 genera of the family Termitidae. They were distributed among the sub-families: Nasutitermitinae (Constrictotermes cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, Nasutitermes sp2, Labiotermes longilabius, Armitermes sp., Syntermes wheeleri and Syntermes molestus) and Termitinae (Spinitermes sp., Inquilinitermes fur and Inquilinitermes microcerus). Regarding the dominance of species in sampled nests in the area, there were three species eudominantes C. cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, S. wheeleri and a subdominant: Nasutitermes sp2. Among the food groups, xilófagous, humus feeding species, grass and litter feeding species and Intermediates have been found.O processo de ocupação do Nordeste brasileiro iniciou-se a partir do litoral e interiorizou-se a partir do desenvolvimento das atividades extrativistas e da produção agrícola comprometendo o bioma caatinga. A expansão do uso da terra, que acompanha o crescimento da população humana, resulta na fragmentação dos habitats naturais com a formação de fragmentos florestais de diferentes tamanhos e formas. Térmitas apresentam importância fundamental nos ecossistemas devido ao seu comportamento alimentar e de nidificação, exercendo forte influência nos processos de decomposição, na ciclagem de nutrientes e nas propriedades físicas e químicas do solo. O presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer, registrar e complementar o entendimento sobre a história natural deste grupo em área de caatinga hipoxerófila. A área de coleta compreende 1 hectare de fragmento preservado, onde foram realizadas coletas diretas em toda a área através do método do transecto linear, medições de altura, circunferência, distância do chão e circunferência do caule em todos os ninhos do hectare. Foram identificadas 10 espécies, pertencentes a 07 gêneros da família Termitidae. Distribuídos entre as subfamílias: Nasutitermitinae (Constrictotermes cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, Nasutitermes sp2, Labiotermes longilabius, Armitermes sp, Syntermes wheeleri e Syntermes molestus) e Termitinae (Spinitermes sp, Inquilinitermes fur e Inquilinitermes microcerus). Com relação à dominância de espécies em ninhos amostrados na área, foram verificadas 3 espécies eudominantes : C. cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, S. wheeleri e 1 subdominante: Nasutitermes sp2. Dentre os grupos alimentares, foram encontrados: xilógafos, humívoros, comedores de grama e serapilheira e Intermediários

Ocupação de ninhos de cupins epígeos e arbóreos em fragmento de caatinga hipoxerófila na cidade de Bom Jesus/PI.

The process of occupation in Northeast of Brazil started in the coast and internalized itself due to the development of extractive and agricultural production affecting caatinga biome. The expansion of land use, that accompanies the growth of human population, results in fragmentation of natural habitats with the formation of forest fragments of different sizes and shapes. Termites have fundamental importance in ecosystems due to their nesting and feeding behavior byexerting a strong influence on the processes of decomposition in nutrient cycling and on physical and chemical properties of soil. This study aimed to understand, to record and to supplement the understanding of the natural history of this group in Caatinga hypoxerophytic. The collection area comprises a hectare of preserved fragment, where collections were made straight across the area through the linear transect method, measurements of height, circumference, distance from the floor and girth in all nests of the hectare were taken. We identified 10 species belonging to 07 genera of the family Termitidae. They were distributed among the sub-families: Nasutitermitinae (Constrictotermes cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, Nasutitermes sp2, Labiotermes longilabius, Armitermes sp., Syntermes wheeleri and Syntermes molestus) and Termitinae (Spinitermes sp., Inquilinitermes fur and Inquilinitermes microcerus). Regarding the dominance of species in sampled nests in the area, there were three species eudominantes C. cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, S. wheeleri and a subdominant: Nasutitermes sp2. Among the food groups, xilófagous, humus feeding species, grass and litter feeding species and Intermediates have been found.Resumo - O processo de ocupação do Nordeste brasileiro iniciou-se a partir do litoral e interiorizou a partir do desenvolvimento das atividades extrativistas e da produção agrícola comprometendo o bioma caatinga. A expansão do uso da terra que acompanha o crescimento da população humana, resulta na fragmentação dos habitats naturais com a formação de fragmentos florestais de diferentes tamanhos e formas. Térmitas apresentam importância fundamental nos ecossistemas devido ao seu comportamento alimentar e de nidificação, exercendo forte influência nos processos de decomposição, na ciclagem de nutrientes e nas propriedades físicas e químicas do solo. O presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer, registrar e complementar o entendimento sobre a historia natural deste grupo em área de caatinga hipoxerófila. A área de coleta compreende 1 hectare de fragmento preservado, onde foram realizadas coletas diretas em toda a área através do método do transecto linear, medições de altura, circunferência, distância do chão e circunferência do caule em todos os ninhos do hectare. Foram identificadas 10 espécies, pertencentes a 07 gêneros da família Termitidae. Distribuídos entre as sub-famílias: Nasutitermitinae (Constrictotermes cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, Nasutitermes sp2, Labiotermes longilabius, Armitermes sp, Syntermes wheeleri e Syntermes molestus) e Termitinae (Spinitermes sp, Inquilinitermes fur e Inquilinitermes microcerus). Com relação a dominância de espécies em ninhos amostrados na área, foram verificadas 3 espécies eudominantes: C. cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, S. wheeleri e 1 subdominante: Nasutitermes sp2. Dentre os grupos alimentares, foram encontrados: xilógafos, humívoros, comedores de grama e serapilheira e Intermediários. Occupation of termite epigeal and arborous nests in a fragment of hypoxerophyticCaatinga in Bom Jesus, Piaui State, Brazil AbstractThe process of occupation in Northeast of Brazil started in the coast and internalized itself dueto the development of extractive and agricultural production affecting caatinga biome. Theexpansion of land use, that accompanies the growth of human population, results in fragmentationof natural habitats with the formation of forest fragments of different sizes and shapes. Termiteshave fundamental importance in ecosystems due to their nesting and feeding behavior byexerting a strong influence on the processes of decomposition in nutrient cycling and on physicaland chemical properties of soil. This study aimed to understand, to record and to supplement theunderstanding of the natural history of this group in Caatinga hypoxerophytic. The collection areacomprises a hectare of preserved fragment, where collections were made straight across the areathrough the linear transect method, measurements of height, circumference, distance from thefloor and girth in all nests of the hectare were taken. We identified 10 species belonging to 07genera of the family Termitidae. They were distributed among the sub-families: Nasutitermitinae(Constrictotermes cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, Nasutitermes sp2, Labiotermes longilabius,Armitermes sp., Syntermes wheeleri and Syntermes molestus) and Termitinae (Spinitermes sp.,Inquilinitermes fur and Inquilinitermes microcerus). Regarding the dominance of species in samplednests in the area, there were three species eudominantes C. cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, S.wheeleri and a subdominant: Nasutitermes sp2. Among the food groups, xilófagous, humus feedingspecies, grass and litter feeding species and Intermediates have been found

Parasitóides associados às moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritoidea) em café orgânico com e sem arborização em Valença, RJ, Brasil Parasitoids associated with fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritoidea) in organic coffee plantation under shaded and unshaded management in Valença, RJ, Brazil

Objetivou-se, com esse trabalho, determinar as espécies de parasitóides associados às moscas-das-frutas infestando seis cultivares de café arábica (Coffea arabica L.), em sistema de cultivo com e sem arborização, sob manejo orgânico. Uma amostra de 1 kg de frutos maduros por cultivar foi colhida em maio de 2005. Os frutos foram depositados em bandejas plásticas, contendo uma camada de areia, a qual serviu como substrato para a fase de pupa. Os pupários foram quantificados e mantidos em copos plásticos transparentes com areia até a emergência dos insetos. Sete espécies de parasitóides da ordem Hymenoptera foram identificadas, das quais cinco da família Braconidae: Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck), Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), Opius bellus Gahan e Opius sp., e duas da Figitidae: Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) e Lopheucoila anastrephae Weld. Larvas de Tephritidae e Lonchaeidae infestando frutos dos seis cultivares foram parasitadas por Braconidae e Figitidae, com média de 14,2% e 7,7% nos sistemas sem e com arborização, respectivamente.<br>The aim of this work was to determine the parasitoid species associated with fruit flies infesting six cultivars of arabic coffee under shaded and unshaded organic management. A 1kg-sample of maturing fruits per cultivar was harvested in May 2005. The fruits were placed in plastic trays containing a layer of thin sand, as a substrate for pupa phase. The puparia were quantified and kept in transparent plastic cups with sand until the emergence of the insects. Seven parasitoid species of the order Hymenoptera were identified, from which five belong to the family Braconidae: Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck), Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), Opius bellus Gahan and Opius sp., and two of the Figitidae: Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) and Lopheucoila anastrephae Weld. Larvae of Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae infesting fruits of the six cultivars were parasitized by Braconidae and Figitidae, with an average of 14.2% and 7.7% in the unshaded and shaded systems, respectively