Temporal activity patterns and foraging behavior by social wasps (Hymenoptera, Polistinae) on fruits of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae).
Barbosa B. C., Paschoalini M. F., Prezoto F.
Author Affiliation: Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica (LABEC), Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
Sociobiology 61 : 239-242
Abstract : This study had as objective to determine which species of social wasps visit mango fruits, to record the behaviors displayed by them while foraging and to verify which the species of wasps visitors offer risk of accidents to farmers. The studied area was monitored during February 2012, from 8:00 to 17:00, in a 144 hour effort, and the data collected included the time of activity, wasps diversity, aggressiveness and the general behavior of social wasps around the fruits. There were registered a total of 175 individuals of 12 different species. Social wasps damaged the healthy fruits, and we registered the abundance and richness peaks during the hot period of the day. This study indicated the need for special care during the harvest, as aggressive wasps are indeed present and abundant, resulting in a possible increase of accident risk for the workers.