Seed predation of crabwood

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to identify the insects associated to seed predation of Carapa guianensis and Carapa procera, to evaluate the seeds damage potential of these insects and the occurrence of vertical stratification in the predation of Carapa seeds. The study was carried out in C. guianensis and C. procera plantations at Reserva Florestal Ducke, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil. The seed samples from the ground were taken weekly, and the canopy samples were taken monthly from three different heights. To evaluate the effect of predation on germination, 30 non-predated seeds and 30 predated seeds were collected monthly from the ground at each plot, and the germination was monitored during a month. The results showed that Hypsipyla grandella and H. ferrealis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are the main insect species associated to seed predation in C. procera and C. guianensis, with predation mean rates of 39% to 61,96%, respectively. Fruit and seed predation were observed inside the canopy vertical stratification of the two Carapa species. The seed predation in C. procera and C. guianensis by Hypsipyla spp. reduced the germination process. This study produced information on the association between C. procera and C. guianensis and the species of Hypsipyla.