Visitation of social wasps in Arabica coffee crop (Coffea Arabica L.) intercropped with different tree species

Abstract

Brazil stands out for its coffee plantations for which the 2015 harvest yielded a revenue of over 600 million dollars. Its production is closely related to biotic and abiotic factors, and insect pests are noted for reducing this production. However, those insects are highly influenced by biological control agents such as predator wasps. This study aimed to survey the wasps visiting intercropping coffee cultivation with different tree species. Four plots of coffee intercropped with different tree species and coffee in full sun (control) were sampled for comparison. Tree species were: Teak (Tectona grandis L.f), Australian redcedar (Toona ciliata M. Roem.), Mangium (Acacia mangium Willd.) and Avocado (Persea americana Mill.). Six hundred and thirty-nine individuals of social wasps were collected, with 20 species and 7 genera, and an overall diversity index of 1.14. The plot with Avocado had the highest Shannon diversity index (H') 1.23 and the lowest dominance according to the Index Berger-Paker (DPB) 0.54.