Behavioral and interactive dynamics, and intraspecific variability in the social wasp Agelaia pallipes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae)

• Grant number: 12/02027-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Arício Xavier Linhares
• Grantee: Thiago de Carvalho Moretti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Despite the reports on the great abundance of Agelaia pallipes at vertebrate carcasses, and the aggression shown by this wasp towards carrion flies - aspects that highlight that A. pallipes may be much more important in carrion decomposition than previously thought - very little is known about the actual forensic importance of this social wasp, whose records at carrion are mainly based on evidences of anecdotal nature. The present project study is aimed at elucidating the possible forensic utilization of A. pallipes. To this end, we will examine systematically the behavioral dynamics and the relationships among A. pallipes and other species of insects regularly found at decomposing vertebrate carrion in tropical environments. We will also analyze and compare the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of A. pallipes from different geographical localities, aiming to establish patterns of intraspecific variability. We consider that the present research project will lead to a breakthrough not only in our current understanding of the forensic importance of the species, but also of its nutritional biology and bionomics. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GALINDO, LUCIANE A.; MORAL, RAFAEL A.; MORETTI, THIAGO C.; GODOY, WESLEY A. C.; DEMETRIO, CLARICE G. B.. Intraguild predation influences oviposition behavior of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Parasitology Research, v. 115, n. 5, p. 2097-2102, MAY 2016. (12/02027-0, 14/03310-3)

GALINDO, LUCIANE A.; MORAL, RAFAEL A.; MORETTI, THIAGO C.; GODOY, WESLEY A. C.; DEMETRIO, CLARICE G. B.. Intraguild predation influences oviposition behavior of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Parasitology Research, v. 115, n. 5, p. 6-pg., 2016-05-01. (12/02027-0, 14/03310-3)