Otro
Foraging Behavior of the Swarm-Founding Wasp, Polybia (Trichothorax) sericea (Hymenoptera, Vespidae): Prey Capture and Load Capacity
Registro en:
Sociobiology. Chico: California State Univ, v. 53, n. 1, p. 61-69, 2009.
0361-6525
WOS:000270860100006
Autor
Bichara Filho, Carlos Costa
Santos, Gilberto M. de M.
Resende, Janete Jane
da Cruz, Jucelho Dantas
Gobbi, Nivar
Machado, Vera Ligia L.
Resumen
The main component of the protein diet of P. sericea was larvae of Lepidoptera (75.38%), with predominance of the following Families: Noctuidae (30.99%), Hesperiidae (19.01%); Pyralidae (19.01%) and Nymphalidae (11.98%). The average weight of the prey captured was 14.2 mg, a value equivalent to 24.7% of the average wasp weight. The average glucidic food load was 28.61 mg, corresponding to approximately half the wasp weight (49.64%). The weight of the load transported in the crop varied according to the food density, which, in turn, influenced the time spent in its collection (Pearson: n=64; r=0.64;p<0.05). Polybia sericea showed predatory interactions against Lepidopteran caterpillars, who are known to be agricultural pests. P. sericea has potential to be used in Integrated Pest Management.