Seed predation by insects in three sympatric species of Copaifera L. (Fabaceae)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the predation rate on seeds and compare fruit length, width, and weight in Copaifera sabulicola J. Costa & L.P. Queiroz, Copaifera luetzelburgii Harms, and Copaifera depilis Dwyer, as well as identify the insects predating on seeds. For the analysis, 900 mature fruits were sampled for each Copaifera species, totaling 2,700 fruits collected from 90 plants in the municipality of Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil. Greater fruit width and length were observed in C. sabulicola. Out of the 2,700 seeds analyzed, 46% were healthy, 41.85% were damaged by insects, and 12.14% were not healthy. The highest predation rate was observed in C. depilis (52.88%) and C. luetzelburgii (46.33%). The correlation coefficient between predation rate and biometrics data was not significant. A total of 1,802 Insecta specimens were found associated with Copaifera fruits. The Coleoptera order showed higher abundance and two genera were identified in this order, Rhinochenus brevicollis Chevrolat, 1871 (Curculionidae) and Apion sp. Herbst, 1797 (Brentidae). Lepidoptera larvae were also detected feeding on fruits.

Keywords

• Apion sp.
• Cerrado
• Interação animal-planta
• Predadores de sementes
• Rhinochenus brevicollis