Community of social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Atlantic Forest remnants in the Western of the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is among the 36 biodiversity hotspots of the world. The southern region of this biome covers 52 conservation units (CUs), including the Bela Vista Biological Refuge (RBBV), which has actions based on biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and environmental education. Biodiversity is the basis for different ecosystem services that can be carried out by social wasps, essential in terrestrial environments. Brazil has the richest fauna of social wasps (Vespidae, Polistinae) on the planet (381 species); however, some Brazilian states, such as Paraná, are “undersampled.” This study was carried out with the goal of inventorying the fauna richness of social wasps in the Atlantic Forest. This biome is located in the RBBV, Paraná, Southern Brazil, and the collections took place from September 2021 to May 2022, totaling 20 days of sampling. Active search with the aid of insect entomological nets in trails near aquatic environments was used. A total of 18 species of social wasps were recorded, including four new records for the state of Paraná. This study recorded species restricted to some biomes and others of wide geographical occurrence; therefore, the RBBV is an important CU for maintaining the fauna of social wasps in the state of Paraná.