Abundance and Diversity of Ambrosia Beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Influenced by the Vegetation Composition and Temperature in Brazil ^†

Bark and ambrosia beetles are considered the main forest pest groups and also biological indicators in natural areas, due to their especial participation in wood rot process. However, there are few investigations exploring the aspects related to the temperature influence, as well as the host plant availability along the geographical distribution, abundance and diversity of these beetles in anthropized areas. Thus, we aimed to access such parameters to Scolytinae in three different anthropized environments in the south of Brazil and verify their possible correlation with temperature and distinct host plants. It was installed flight interception alcohol traps to monitor the beetles. The experimental areas were divided in uncovered soil area with grass fragments; reforestation area composed exclusively to Mimosa scabrella, a native plant from south of Brazil; agroforestry system with native and exotic plant species. It was collected 357 Scolytinae individuals, distributed in 6 tribes, 15 genus and 42 species. Individuals from the Corthylini tribe dominated in abundance (~78%) and diversity (24 spp.). From this group, ~58% from all species belong to Corthylus. We also observed a correlation between the temperature and Scolytinae abundance, since the higher number of species were collected during the lowest temperatures. The abundance and diversity similarity between M. scabrella and the agroforestry areas demonstrated that a higher diversity of plants does not indicate a higher diversity of ambrosia beetles. Therefore, in anthropized areas, the Corthylini beetles do not seem to be potential bioindicators, which can be related to their polyphagous ability.