Bait and habitat preferences, and temporal variability of social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) attracted to vertebrate carrion

In addition to feeding on carrion tissues and fluids, social wasps can also prey on immature and adult carrion flies, thereby reducing their populations and retarding the decomposition process of carcasses. In this study, we report on the occurrence and behavior of social wasps attracted to vertebrate carrion. The collections were made monthly from September 2006 to October 2007 in three environments (rural, urban, and forest) in six municipalities of southeast Brazil, using baited bottle traps. We collected Agelaia pallipes (Olivier, 1791) (n = 143), Agelaia vicina (Saussure, 1854) (n = 106), Agelaia multipicta (Haliday, 1836) (n = 18), and Polybia paulista Ihering, 1896 (n = 3). The wasps were observed feeding directly on the baits and preying on adult insects collected in the traps. Bait and habitat associations, temporal variability of social wasps, and possible forensic implications of their actions are discussed. © 2011 Entomological Society of America.

Indicators for the assessment of social policies

Includes bibliography

Diversity of social wasps on semideciduous seasonal forest fragments with different surrounding matrix in Brazil

We surveyed social wasps (Polistinae) present in forest fragments of northwest of So Paulo state with different surroundings composed of a matrix of citrus crops and sugarcane in the expectation that the former matrix would be more diverse than the latter. We collected specimens actively using attractive liquids. We obtained 20 species in Magda, 13 in Bebedouro, 13 in Mato, and 19 in Barretos. The most common genus was Agelaia in all of the areas. The greatest Shannon-Wiener index of diversity was obtained in Magda (H' = 2.12). Species such as Brachygastra moebiana, Metapolybia docilis, Mischocyttarus ignotus, M. paulistanus and M. consimilis had not been recorded on recent surveys in the state. Furthermore M. consimilis is a new record for the state. We concluded that, with our data, a relation between the occurrence of social wasps and the surrounding matrix was not detected. © 2011 Getulio Minoru Tanaka Junior and Fernando Barbosa Noll.

Demographic models for projections of social sector demand

Includes bibliography

Political feasibility of social development

Includes bibliography

Alternatives of social policies for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Eighties

Includes bibliography

Regions as the product of social construction

Includes bibliography

An overview of social development in Brazil

Includes bibliography

Nature and selectiveness of social policy

Includes bibliography

Selectivity as the crux of social policies

Destaca el tema de la compensación social ante la crisis económica y los interrogantes vinculados a los límites entre asistencialismo y eficiencia de la inversión, la viabilidad de las políticas sociales en el corto plazo y los alcances de la expansión del sector informal en la región.

Privatizations and social welfare

Includes bibliography

Three forms of social coordination

Includes bibliography

Employment in Latin America: cornerstone of social policy

Includes bibliography

Youth and feelings of belonging in Latin America: causes and risks of social fragmentation

Includes bibliography

Main challenges of social development in the Caribbean

Includes bibliography