Nacional Institute of Science and Technology of the Hymenoptera Parasitoids from Brazilian Southeast Region

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OBTAINED IN THE FIRST PERIOD OF THIS REPORT

RESEARCH

The project is the phase of data collection and data analysis will be developed after the conclusion of this phase. In short term the project of INCT are promoting the establishment of solid bases to the development of the knowledge on the biodiversity of parasitoid Hymenoptera by providing equipments, resources and biological material to most of the researchers working with this subject in Brazil.

In medium term, the maintenance of financial policies to biodiversity studies, such as those regarding INCTs, will allow the proposal of strategies of sustainable socio-economic development based on the information obtained from taxonomic and ecological studies on biodiversity. About 1.5 million species were already described, but this number probably represents just a small part of the species in the planet. The total number is estimated to be between 5 and 100 million species. Even between the species already described, important data, such as their life habits, geographic distribution, resistance to anthropogenic disturbs, among several others, are completely unknown.

The first step to acquire these information is the identification of the species names (including the description of new ones) in an area. This is one of our primarily goals. The other is to investigate the interactions of these organisms with their environment and other species.

During this first year we established 95 sampling points in about 30 cities and conservation units of the southeastern region of Brazil (states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais e Espírito Santo). In all these localities we are developing monthly samplings since may 2009. Hymenoptera belonging to the families Braconidae, Ichneumonidae and families of Chalcidoidea are being already identified. A few genera are already determined, including four genera without previous registers for the country. A total of 11,215 specimens were placed in entomological pins and preserved in adequate conditions. About 200 samples are still in process of sorting.

Inventories of parasitoid Hymenoptera in coffee plantations in Minas Gerais and São Paulo: in 19 samplings, 420 specimens were identified to family level.

Inventories of parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae) and their hosts, with special attention to the relation involving plants/aphids/parasitoids, in several Brazilian locations: aphids were collected alive and in mummified conditions from several distint host plants. From this samples, we obtained several parasitoids.

In addition, lepidoptera larvae were collect and kept in laboratory conditions to obtain their Diptera and Hymenoptera parasitoids. Among the lepidoptera we obtained specimens of the families Geometridae , Noctuidae and Arctiidae. Hymenoptera obtained in these samples are included in the familes Braconidae and Ichneumonidae, while the Diptera are included in the family Tachinidae.

Several behavioral studies, especially about interactions between spiders and parasitoid Hymenoptera were also developed. Most of these studies present new cases of host behavioral manipulation induced by parasitoids.

Inventories of the parasitic entomofauna occuring in the areas of high hills and in the base of Serra da Canastra and Babilônia, in the southeastern of Minas Gerais, and studies of the environmental perception of the habitants of this region: we are studying the biology and ecology of parasitoids of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) in order to identify tritrophic interactions involving beetles, their host plants and parasitoids. These studies include the investigation of their life cycle, population fluctuation and habits of the most representative species. Several new species are being identified and we are working on their description in national and international periodic.

HUMAN RESOURCES

There is a remarkable urgency to develop new scientists with skills in systematic and taxonomy to work on inventories of the Brazilian fauna and flora. Several suggestion have being made to solve this problem: a) the creation ïf a national center of information on entomological diversity, b) investment in a group of institutions which will act as a guide to the development of the taxonomic knowledge in their geographic region, c) investments in the formation of new researchers improving their theoretic background and field experience, d) changes in the current policies to reduce bureaucratic procedures involved in the process to collect and transport scientific samples, and e) development of organized actions to control the deforestation and habitat fragmentation. The actions of INCT Hympar/Sudeste can be included mainly in the proposals b and c. We have 40 students with grants (Including IC, Technical Support and post-docs). In addition, several master and doctoral theses are in development and field courses are being conducted.

TRANSFERRING OF KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY

The INCT Hympar are offering disciplines to undergraduate and postgraduate students, summer courses to undergraduate students, lectures in schools and courses to rural producers. We are also involved in the edition of educative guides to the conversion of traditional grazing fields to systems integrating forest, crops and cattle stocks. We are also involved in educative expositions and environmental education on traditional communities.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE DIFFUSION

Effective participation of under-graduate and post-graduate students in lectures in schools of several municipalities and programs of science diffusion. Inclusion of the theme “parasitoid insects” in expositions coordinated by professors and students of the UAB (Universidade Aberta do Brasil) and public universities.

MAIN IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT TO THE IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TECHNICAL-SCIENTIFIC STATUS OF THE COUNTRY IN THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS:

RESEARCH

Establishment of an interdisciplinary group of researches to study parasitoid insects. Development of conditions to creation of a center of reference, in Brazil, to study parasitoids, including the first data base about collections and the use of parasitoids to biological control in crops.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Significant improvement in the number of undergraduate and post-graduate students working with parasitoid insects in the researching lines of taxonomy, ecology and entomology in crop systems. Development of specialists in the subjects in several brazilian institutions.

DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY

Improvement of techniques and sampling equipments to evaluate insect biodiversity.

EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC DIVULGATION

Popularization of the knowledge about insects and, in special, parasitoids through lectures and published material. Transference of knowledge and teaching methods (games, videos, etc) to professors and students in schools of several municipalities.