In environments undergoing constant transformation due to human action, such as deforestation and urbanization, the emergence of pests has become a challenge for agriculture and human welfare. In Brazil, over a thousand tonnes of pesticides are used annually, causing serious environmental damage such as the decline of insect populations. It is necessary to search for control alternatives in order to reduce the environmental impact caused by insecticides. This review aims to describe the use of social wasps as agents of biological control, focusing on the perspectives of their use in small farms and urban gardens, and to discuss the benefits of using this method. Studies have shown that 90–95% of the prey captured by wasps in small crops is made of leaf-eating caterpillars. In urban gardens, wasps diversify their prey, among which potential disease vectors, such as dipterans, stand out. We outline techniques for managing social wasp colonies in small farm and urban garden settings, including the use of artificial shelters. Among the advantages of using wasps as control agents, we highlight the practicality of the method, the low operational cost, the absence of prey resistance and the decrease of the use of insecticides.

Harsh weather and natural enemies are the two main causes of colony abandonment by social wasps. The selection of nesting sites with characteristics that provide shelter from these threats is therefore a key factor for colony survival. Our study aimed to understand the selection and association between social wasps and nesting substrate. Data collection was carried out between February 2011 and February 2014 in an urban fragment named Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, in the southeastern part of Minas Gerais. In order to assess the type of substrate used, we divided them into natural vegetative substrates and man-made substrates. Five-day sampling campaigns were carried out monthly, in which the colonies found were photographed and their distance from the ground and substrate were catalogued. Colonies were generally more abundant during the rainy season. Colonies in man-made substrates were recorded in greater frequencies in heights between two and five metres, while for vegetal substrates these heights were usually below two metres. We observed that independent-founding social wasps in an emergent ecosystem tend to nest in man-made substrates and, generally, in exotic plants, which highlights the importance of such substrates in maintaining the colonies.

Resumo. Alguns vespídeos sociais neotropicais se associam com alguns vertebrados e outros insetos, sendo essas interações relatadas há décadas, entretanto pouco se sabe sobre a presença dessas no Bioma Caatinga e Mata Atlântica. Neste estudo descreve-se o primeiro registro de ocorrência da associação entre ninhos de vespas Polybia rejecta (Fabricius) e formigas Azteca chartifex Forel em área de transição da Mata Atlântica e Caatinga no Rio Grande do Norte. As observações ocorreram em mata particular no município de Monte Alegre, de outubro de 2009 a setembro de 2014 através da busca ativa por colônias, uso do método ad libitum, fotografia e coleta de espécimes com posterior identificação. Na área de estudo foram localizadas quatro colônias ativas e uma abandonada de P. rejecta, todas associadas aos ninhos de A. chartifex com aproximação de 20 a 30 cm. Verificou-se que, quando a colônia de P. rejecta era perturbada, os indivíduos se tornavam agressivos, enquanto que as formigas se aglomeravam no intuito de se defenderem de um provável predador. Essas interações parecem beneficiar tanto vespas como formigas, pois se supõe que as vespas agridam possíveis predadores das formigas, enquanto que as formigas atacam aves e primatas predadores das vespas. Este trabalho corrobora com a hipótese de que a associação entre vespas sociais P. rejecta e formigas A. chartifex é benéfica para ambas as espécies, e que provavelmente as vespas são as mais beneficiadas, como também revela a não exclusividade dessa associação para os biomas aqui relatados. Nesting Polybia rejecta (Fabricius)(Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Associated with Azteca chartifex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Ecotone Caatinga/Atlantic Forest, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte Abstract. Some neotropical social wasps which are associated with some vertebrates and other insects like ants, and these interactions are reported for decades, but little is known about the presence of these in the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest. This study describes the first association's record between nests of Polybia rejecta (Fabricius) wasp and Azteca chartifex Forel ants in the transition area of the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga in Rio Grande do Norte. The observations were in a private forest in Monte Alegre, from October 2009 to September 2014 through active search for colonies, use of ad libitum method, photography and collection of specimens with traceability. In the study area were found four active colonies and one abandoned of P. rejecta, all associated with nests of A. chartifex with approach of 20-30 cm. It was found that when the colony of P. rejecta was disturbed, they became aggressive towards the disturbance object, whereas the ants gathered in order to fend off a potential predators. These interactions appear to benefit wasps and ants, it is assumed that is possible that wasps attack ants's predators, whereas the ants attack the wasps's predators. This study corroborates the hypothesis that the association between the social wasps P. rejecta and A. chartifex ants is beneficial for both species, and probably the wasps are the most benefited, but also shows the non-exclusivity of this association for the biomes up then reported.

Estudos envolvendo o gato doméstico têm sido desenvolvidos, no entanto, ainda são poucos os que avaliam padrões comportamentais e relações interespecíficas. Problemas de comportamento causam transtornos na relação do gato e seu tutor, podendo levar ao abandono do animal, sendo de grande importância a compreensão do comportamento do mesmo para que se possa promover o seu bem estar. Assim, o presente estudo visou investigar o comportamento afiliativo de gatos domésticos cativos frente a presença humana. Foram estudados 16 animais, 06 machos e 10 fêmeas, abrigados no gatil da Sociedade Juizforense de Proteção Animal. Foi possível dividir os indivíduos em três grupos: (I) animais que se aproximam (37,5%, n=9), (II) animais que não se afastam (56,25%, n=6) e (III) animais que se afastam (6,25%, n=1). Ainda que poucas divergências comportamentais tenham sido notadas, elas podem estar relacionadas a características hereditárias e ao histórico de vida, visto que são animais abandonados e/ou resgatados das ruas, alguns com histórico de maus tratos. Foi possível observar animais pouco estimulados, sendo a chegada de visitantes e a presença do investigador, os únicos estímulos oferecidos.

Resumo. Visando compreender a ecologia de nidificação de Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus) em áreas urbanas, foram realizadas buscas ativas por colônias no Campus da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Foram encontradas 442 colônias em sete materiais como substrato para nidificação, sendo 98% em edificações humanas. Concreto e metal foram os substratos mais utilizados para nidificação das vespas, podendo ser justificado pela maior presença desses materiais no ambiente e ainda, pela retenção de calor que eles apresentam fornecendo condição favorável para o desenvolvimento das colônias. Nesting habits of Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Urban Areas Aiming to understand nesting ecology of Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus) in urban areas, were carried out active searches for colonies on the campus of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. We found 442 colonies in seven materials as substrate for nesting, 98% in human buildings. Concrete and metal were the most commonly used substrates by the wasps nidifying and this fact can be justified by the greater presence of these in the environment and also the heat retention they present providing favorable condition for the development of the colonies.