EFEITOS DAS CARACTERÍSTICAS DA PAISAGEM NA DIVERSIDADE DE HEXÁPODES EM FRAGMENTOS FLORESTAIS DO SUDOESTE GOIANO

Abstract

Insects (Arthropoda, Insecta) are the most diverse organisms on the planet, with an estimated 30 million species. They play essential roles, such as pollination and biological control. The main orders include Coleoptera (beetles), Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Diptera (flies and mosquitoes), Hymenoptera (bees, ants, and wasps), and Hemiptera (sucking insects). However, habitat fragmentation and the loss of natural areas threaten this diversity. A study in southwestern Goiás analyzed the diversity of insects in fragments of native vegetation, comparing richness and abundance across different landscapes. Using Malaise traps, 15,612 individuals from 13 orders were collected between October 2022 and April 2023, with Diptera being the most abundant order, representing 74% of the total. The study indicated that vegetation cover is positively related to insect richness and abundance, while habitat fragmentation has a negative impact. The predominance of Diptera may be attributed to their adaptability to various environments and the effectiveness of the collection methodology for insects with good flying capability. Other orders, such as Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, also showed significant abundance, indicating a favorable habitat; however, fragmentation harms this diversity. Although no significant relationship was found between abundance/richness and variables such as the number of fragments, there was a positive correlation between insect abundance and habitat percentage. The richness of Hymenoptera was related to the number of fragments and habitat percentage, while the richness of Coleoptera was only connected to the habitat percentage.