Diversidade de Phytophaga (Coleoptera) e sua relação com a heterogeneidade do habitat em um fragmento na região de Dourados, MS

Abstract

Coleoptera is the most diverse insect Order, representing almost 40% of the animal species. Among them, Phytophaga corresponds to approximately one-third of its diversity. This group is essentially phytophagous and mainly represented by Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae and Cerambycidae. Notwithstanding its high diversity, little is known about the fauna found in Mato Grosso do Sul, and the relationship established between these beetles and the habitat heterogeneity. In order to investigate these subjects, Malaise traps were set up in the protected area of the Fazenda Paradouro II, Dourados – MS. In the study, 319 specimens belonging to 135 species of Phytophaga were captured, corresponding to 34% of all beetles collected. Curculionidae was the Family most abundant (49.2%) and richest (49.6%), followed by Chrysomelidae and Cerambycidae. Concerning the relationship between Phytophaga and the heterogeneity of its habitat, none of the variables analysed (understory heterogeneity, canopy height and canopy cover) could explain significantly the found model, probably due to the small amount of samples. Considering the proportion of Phytophaga relative to the total beetle sampled (34%), it can be considered that the evaluated fragment is conserved since in more conserved environments the abundance of phytophagous beetles is smaller.