Abstract
In the northeastern part of Brazil, located 90% within the semi-arid region of the country, we can find areas that present quite peculiar characteristics, amongst these the Caatinga. This biome is characterized by the floristic composition formed of dry forest and in this semi-arid environment there is an increase in the supply of resources during the rainy season. This is a region lacking in research, particularly in the State of Paraíba, where no survey studies of social wasp were carried out yet. Social wasps are an important predator of plagues species. The objective of this study was to conduct a survey of the community of social wasps (Polistinae species) that inhabit in the neotropical dry forest of Paraiba, in the municipalities of Sumé and Prata, and to compare the richness and abundance of wasps located in areas of Caatinga with those inhabiting areas intercropping plantation with organic farming. The present study sampled 10 Polistinae species distributed in six genera. Two new species were registered for the state. The comparison between the community of social wasps of the Caatinga There was not statistical difference in the richness and abundance between the natural vegetation and organic intercropping. This means that agroecosystem attracted community of Polistinae, promoting the maintenance of social wasps in anthropic environmental and favoring the biological control.
Highlights
The several Brazilian ecosystems have different characteristics resulting in specificity in certain animal groups, including wasps
Stands out the tropical dry forests of Northeastern Brazilian semi-arid region, which is characterized by technical criteria as a region with the average annual rainfall of less than 800 mm, irregularly distributed in space and time, and the risk of increased drought in 60% (Brazil, 2007)
Northeastern Brazil is composed by 90% of semi-arid climate, where Neotropical dry forests are found in areas with very specific characteristics called Caatinga (Brazil, 2007)
Summary
The several Brazilian ecosystems have different characteristics resulting in specificity in certain animal groups, including wasps In this context, stands out the tropical dry forests of Northeastern Brazilian semi-arid region, which is characterized by technical criteria as a region with the average annual rainfall of less than 800 mm, irregularly distributed in space and time, and the risk of increased drought in 60% (Brazil, 2007). Northeastern Brazil is composed by 90% of semi-arid climate, where Neotropical dry forests are found in areas with very specific characteristics called Caatinga (Brazil, 2007). This biome is characterized by tropical dry forest with an increase on resource supply in the rainy periods (Pereira Filho et al, 2013). The Caatinga biodiversity is considered to be the lowest when compared to other areas of Brazil (see Ducke, 1907). Lewinsohn (2000) emphasized the importance of surveys on the biodiversity for this biome. Brandão et al (2000)
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