Herbivoria foliar e de inflorescência em Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott. (Araceae)

Abstract

The plant species of the genus Montrichardia form dense vegetation in flooded areas. The leaves are broad, usually triangular-ovate, with strong basal lobes and uniformly parallel veining, it has a massive, long and partially submerged stem, popularly known as "anhinga" is a pioneer in the alluvial island formations of the Amazon estuary. In addition, it is an important component of the region's water system, as it serves as a refuge, food, and breeding ground for fish, reptiles, birds, and aquatic mammals. The order Orthoptera comprises a large diversity of insects with about 12,000 known species. Most are phytophagous. The order Lepidoptera the larvae of most species are phytophagous. It was observed in M. tinifera communities by Mascarenhas and collaborators, at the Scientific Station Ferreira Penna (ECFPn/MPEG), Caxiuanã-Melgaço/PA, that the leaf as well as the inflorescence of M. linifera has been intensely attacked mainly by orthopterans of the Acrididae family, and by lepidopterans of the Riodinidae family. The objective of this work is to develop systematic and behavioral studies of orthoptera from the Acrididae family and lepidoptera from the Riodinidae family on leaves and inflorescence of Montrichardia linifera, making observations on the biology and herbivory of these specimens. The working area consists of the floodplain region near Belém/PA and the floodplain and igapó area of Caxiuanã, municipality of Melgaço/PA. Twenty plants were selected from four anhingas located in four different points. From the data and observations we had the results. An unidentified species of insect of the order Orthoptera and of the family Acrididae is intensely preying on some of the anhingas. A Lepidoptera of the Riodinidae family, of the species Helicopis cupido (Linn.), is intensely preying on all the anhingas, where the plant does not die, it regrows up to 90%. The geographical location and climatic factors directly influence the population of these insects in anhingas