Moscas frugívoras (Diptera: lonchaeidae), hospedeiros e parasitoides (Hymenoptera) em floresta nativa e área urbana no Paraguai

Abstract

The Cerro Corá National Park (PNCC), a fully protected area and the agroforestry farms assessed, are located in the Amambay Department, Paraguay. They are home to a great diversity of animals, especially of the Class Insecta, and plants. Insects represent the most biodiverse group of animals on Earth. The Order Diptera include the superfamily Tephritoidea, with eight Families and Lonchaeidae stands out as an important group, popularly known as fruit flies. Lonchaeids represent one of the main phytosanitary problems in fruit growing, as some species are considered key pests on several fruit and vegetable species. In this context, the aims of this research are: 1- Taxonomically identify the diversity of Lonchaeidae species; 2- Evaluate the levels of infestation of loncheids in fruit trees; 3- Analyze the trophic interactions between loncheids, host fruits and their parasitoids in native forests and agroforestry backyards (urban area) in Paraguay. Fruit sampling and collection of Lonchaeidae species and natural enemies were carried out biweekly, from March 2021 to February 2023 in the PNCC area and in the urban environment of Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay. In total, 56 species of fruit plants were sampled. Sixteen fruit trees were infested by Lonchaeidae species: Eugenia myrcianthes, Campomanesia guazumifolia, Campomanesia sessiflora, Campomanesia adamantium, Myrciarea floribunda, Plinia rivularis, Randia ferox, Psidium guajava, Ocotea corymbosa, Duguetia furfuracea, Andira humilis, Eriobotrya japonica, Inga laurina, Malpighia punicifolia, Persea americana and Spondias purpurea. Thirteen species of Neosilba (Lonchaeidae) were associated with their hosts: Neosilba batesi, N. certa, N. distospinosa, N. glaberrima, N. inesperata, N. ilheuense, Neosilba aff. paramerolatus, N. pantanense, N. perezi, N. pendula, N. pseudobifida, N. spiculata and N. zadolicha. Parasitoidism occurred by two species of Figitidae: Lopheucoila anastrephae on Neosilba spp. larvae in two hosts: I. laurina and P. guajava; Aganaspis nordlanderi on Neosilba spp. larvae infesting I. laurina pods. These are the first records of Neosilba species in fruits of Campomanesia sessiliflora, O. corymbosa and Neosilba ilheuense in R. ferox fruits. This research contributes to the knowledge of the diversity and distribution of fruit flies in Paraguay. This is the first inventory of Lonchaeids that established tritrophic interactions between host fruit species and parasitoids in an Integral Conservation Unit and an Urban Area (agroforestry backyards) in Paraguay. There is an urgent need for research into biodiversity in Paraguay, especially on fruit flies, as native vegetation is under heavy human suppression (deforestation and burning) to increase agroforestry activities. This research was divided into two chapters, the first: Biodiversity of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritoidea): interactions with host plants in a Conservation Unit in Paraguay and the second: Diversity of frugivorous Lonchaeidae (Diptera, Brachycera, Tephritoidea), host plants and parasitoids (Hymenoptera) from urban areas in Paraguay.