Occurrence of green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in two coffee cropping systems

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the diversity of lacewings in two coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cropping systems, located in the southwestern region of Bahia State, Brazil, and to study the structure of their communities and the seasonal occurrence of the species. These studies were conducted from December 2003 to November 2004, with coffee plants that were either shaded or unshaded by silky oak trees (Grevillea robusta A. Cunn.) at a property located in the municipality of Barra do Choça, Bahia State. Monthly collections were carried out with insect nets and traps baited with mango juice and hydrolyzed protein. The characterization of the Chrysopidae community was calculated by faunal indices, relative frequency, constancy, dominance, richness and diversity. The study on the species seasonal occurrence was conducted with the total number of specimens within each collection time and sampling. In order to assess the effects of climatic factors, only species classified as constant were considered. The occurrence of the following 15 species, in association with coffee plants, was recorded: Ceraeochrysa cubana, Ceraeochrysa cincta, Ceraeochrysa dislepis, Ceraeochrysa everes, Chrysoperla externa, Chrysopodes spinella, Leucochrysa guataparensis, Leucochrysa cruentata, Leucochrysa intermedia, Leucochrysa rodriguezi, Leucochrysa santini, Leucochrysa scomparini, Leucochrysa cidae, Leucochrysa annae and Leucochrysa sp.4. There was a considerable difference in community structures regarding the occurrence of different species and abundance of individuals. The species C. cincta, L. guataparensis, L. cidae and L. sp.4 occurred exclusively on shaded coffee plants, while L. cruentata, L. intermedia, L. scomparini and L. annae were found only on unshaded plants. On the other hand, C. externa and L. rodriguezi stood out in both environments. C. externa was the most frequent and dominant species in both cropping systems, as it was considered constant on unshaded coffee plants and accessory on shaded plants. C. everes, C. externa and C. spinella occur during the day; C. cincta, C. dislepis, L. guataparensis, L. rodriguezi, L. cidae, L. cruentata, L. intermedia, L. santini, L. scomparini and L. annae occur during the night; and only the species C. cuban was collected during both the day and night.   Key words: Faunal analysis, biodiversity, Coffea arabica, predator.