Herbivoria foliar e de inflorescência em montrichardia linifera (araceae)

Abstract

The genus Montrichardia, according to Gentry (1993), forms dense vegetation in flooded areas. The leaves are broad, triangular-ovate, usually with an unpleasant odor present. Montrichadia linifera popularly known as "anhinga", has a Neotropical distribution, is a pioneer in the formation of alluvial islands of the Amazon estuary and in the narrows of the canals of the Marajó archipelago. It has been exploited by inhabitants of the Amazon region, who use its stems as fIutuators in the transport of wood. Mascarenhas and team (1996) observed in M. linifera communities that the leaf as well as the infIorescence has been attacked mainly by insects of the orders Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. The objective of this work was to identify the species of orthoptera and lepidoptera in leaves and infIorescence of M. linifera, and also to make observations about the biology, herbivory and behavior of these insects. The methodology consisted of technical visits and collections in four floodplain areas of the Guamá River near Belém. At this site, 10 samples were collected in one period of the year, the rainy season. The statistics of the results were done by observing the communities of healthy plants compared to those of plants already attacked. Preliminary results showed that both orthoptera and lepidoptera (Helicopis cupido (Linn.)), are intensively preying on the leaves and infIorescences of M. linifera. Even when attacked, the plant does not die, it resists and regrows in up to 90% of the attacked community. It was also observed through experiments that the lepidopteran H. cupido of the Riodinidae family can be raised in the laboratory with relative ease.