Desenvolvimento de Enchenopa brasiliensis Strümpel (Homoptera, Membracidae) em plantas de Solanum lycocarpum St.Hill. (Solanaceae) no cerrado e as formigas associadas

Resumo

The membracid Enchenopa brasiliensis is a herbivore of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae – “lobeira”) in cerrado (savanna neotropical vegetation). In this study we investigate the plant-herbivore interaction as a “good” model to the study of three-trophic interactions (ant-plant-herbivores). We observed that this membracid is present in the field as adult during all moths of year, with a main reproduction season between September and November. This period is associated with the early of the cerrado’s rainy season, occurring an increment in leaf production and steams. We observed 11 ant species collecting honeydew from E. brasiliensis nymphs and adults. Ectatomma quadridens, Camponotus rufipes and C. crassus were the mainly ant species tending this homopterans. Salticidae spiders and predator Reduviidae (Heteroptera), mainly Zelus leucogrammus are pointed out as the most important
predators in this system. We conclude that E. brasiliensis – S. lycocarpum – ants is an interesting and “good” system to the study of three-trophic interactions by the presence of the relation during all seasons, by the strong abundance of the plant and the infestation in cerrados, by the ant diversity and by the facility of manipulation of the system.