Fauna of Hymenoptera in Ficus spp. (Moraceae) in the Central Amazon, Brazil

Abstract

The interaction between Ficus (Moraceae) and fig wasps is considered one of the most extreme examples of plant-insect mutualism. In the present study, we reported the fig wasp fauna associated with five Ficus species in the Central Amazon, Brazil, and considered some aspects of the pollination mode found in Ficus (Urostigma) cremersii, Ficus (Urostigma) greiffiana, Ficus (Urostigma) mathewsii, Ficus (Urostigma) pertusa e Ficus (Pharmacosycea) maxima. The study was carried out from April to July 2004, in the cities of Manaus and Presidente Figueiredo (state of Amazonas, Brazil). The number of fig wasp species per host tree varied from one to 13. Wasps of the genus Pegoscapus Cameron, 1906, pollinators of Ficus (Urostigma) spp., showed an active pollination mode. Indeed, these species have coxal combs and pollen pockets to collect and transport pollen. Tetrapus Mayr, 1885 species, pollinators of Ficus (Pharmacosycea) spp., demonstrated a passive pollination mode and they do not show morphological traits adapted to collect and transfer pollen grains. Besides fig wasps, F. (Pharmacosycea) maxima and F. (Urostigma) pertusa are associated with mites, ants (Solenopsis sp., Formicidae), beetles (Staphylinidae) and larvae of Diptera and Lepidoptera.