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Foraging behavior of B rachygastra lecheguana ( H ymenoptera: V espidae) on B anisteriopsis malifolia ( M alpighiaceae): Extrafloral nectar consumption and herbivore predation in a tending ant system
Author(s) -
AlvesSilva Estevao,
Barônio Gudryan Jackson,
TorezanSilingardi Helena Maura,
DelClaro Kleber
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
entomological science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1479-8298
pISSN - 1343-8786
DOI - 10.1111/ens.12004
Subject(s) - nectar , biology , foraging , herbivore , mutualism (biology) , insect , predation , hymenoptera , patrolling , myrmecophily , ecology , botany , pollen , political science , law
Abstract In the B razilian savanna many plant species bear regular associations with patrolling ants that are aggressive towards insect herbivores. However, not only ants but also several species of predatory wasps are attracted to plants due to the extrafloral nectaries ( EFN s). Such wasps feed on both herbivores and plant exudates. In this study we describe the foraging behavior of the social P olistinae wasp B rachygastra lecheguana in the extrafloral nectaried shrub B anisteriopsis malifolia , and investigated the influence of patrolling ants C amponotus blandus on the activity of the wasp. B rachygastra lecheguana fed on the endophytic larvae of A nthonomus ( C urculionidae) beetles that developed inside flower buds. The wasp lacerated the bud layers to reach the beetle larvae located at the bud core. The wasp visits to B a. malifolia were statistically related to the abundance of flower buds and beetles. Ant exclusion experiments revealed that the hunting behavior of B . lecheguana on beetles was not related to the absence of C . blandus . However we found that wasps spent more time consuming extrafloral nectar on branches where ants were excluded. This is the first study reporting extrafloral nectar consumption by B . lecheguana , as well as the predation on herbivores in natural areas. In cerrado vegetation, ants benefit the plant by reducing insect herbivores, and our study provides evidence that the B . lecheguana – B a. malifolia system represents a potential interaction where the wasp may also benefit the host plant. The value of this wasp species as a plant‐guard is discussed.