Entomofauna associated to the floration of Schinus Terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the importance of Schinus terebinthifolius in plant succession in Brazilian ecosystems, this study aimed to investigate the floral visiting insects, and verify their efficiency in pollen transport. Were collected 1.619 insects belonging to nine orders and 66 families on the flowers of one individual of S. terebinthifolius. Diptera showed higher family richness with 17, followed by Hymenoptera with 12 and Coleoptera with 11. Vespidae and Apidae, with 616 and 317 individuals respectively, were the families with the greatest number of individuals collected. 92% of these insects had pollen attached to their body, which confirms the importance of the individuals of these groups as pollen vector and potential pollinators.