Visitantes dos nectários de Desmanthus pernambucanus (l.) Thellung (leguminosae): uma forrageira nativa da Caatinga

Abstract

Jureminha is a species that occurs in the caatinga biome and has forage potential among other economic importance. The objective of this work was to evaluate the diversity of floral visitors and visitors to the extrafloral nectaries of Desmanthus Pernambucanus and the influence of the visitation of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on the reproductive success of the species. The work was divided into two stages, which was carried out in the city of Arcoverde-PE from November 2020 to February 2021 and in Serra Talhada-PE. To carry out the experiment, the method described by Campos & Zorzenon was used, where a cone is made of resistant material and placed on the plant together with solid petroleum jelly. The variables measured were: height and diameter of the stem. To determine floral and extrafloral visitors, monthly visits were made to plants in the experimental area of UFRPE-UAST and visitors were collected with the help of an entomological network. The experiment showed that ant influences contribute to the reproductive success of Desmanthus Pernambucanus, but the exclusion of ants favors herbivory and fruit production, interfering with its growth. Few species visited Desmanthus during the study period.