Abstract
Diversity of wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in conventional and organic guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) crops in the Brazilian Amazon. The present study aimed to determine the diversity of wasp species associated with the guaraná crop and the difference in composition of species associated to organic and conventional crops, as well as among environments established in each management (adjacent forest, crop edge and guaraná crop). We collected 977 individuals and 59 species, in 23 genera of Vespidae, sixteen of Polistinae (52 species) and seven Eumeninae (seven species). Polybia was the most abundant and rich genus with 553 specimens and 15 species, followed by Agelaia (139, nine) and Protopolybia (103, five). In organic management crop, 686 individuals allocated in 18 genera and 47 species were collected, whereas in conventional management crop 291 individuals allocated in 18 genera and 41 species were collected. According to the three sampling points, in both management types, the edge of the crop field shows the highest abundance of wasps with a total of 519 individuals allocated in 19 genera and 45 species. Given the intense use of both environments (forest and crop) by the wasps, it is important to grow crops in regions near native forests, where the chances of social wasp colonies to be founded are increased.
Highlights
The replacement of natural areas by monocultures and pastures is resulting in widespread local and global biodiversity loss
Farmland conservation programs aim at improving the value of agricultural landscapes for biodiversity, and a key conservation strategy of these programs is the retention of remnant natural vegetation (Kleijn et al, 2011; Phalan et al, 2011)
The study was conducted within the experimental fields of Western Amazon EMBRAPA (Brazilian Enterprise of Agriculture and Cattle-Raising), in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, where there are two guarana crop fields, one under organic management (2°53’29.14”S / 59°58’45.80”W) and the other under conventional management system
Summary
The replacement of natural areas by monocultures and pastures is resulting in widespread local and global biodiversity loss. The use of pesticides and insecticides reduces the diversity of pollinators (Durigan et al, 2007; Lindenmayer et al, 2013; Pimentel et al, 1992). Pimentel et al (1992) assert that it is important to conserve biological diversity in agricultural ecosystems, which, along with human settlements, cover approximately. Farmland conservation programs aim at improving the value of agricultural landscapes for biodiversity, and a key conservation strategy of these programs is the retention of remnant natural vegetation (Kleijn et al, 2011; Phalan et al., 2011). It allows native insects to persist in the transformed landscape by providing undisturbed refuge and supplementary resources within the agricultural mosaic (Benton et al, 2003; Duelli & Obrist, 2003; Gaigher et al, 2015)
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