Studies of social wasp diversity in Brazil: Over 30 years of research, advancements and priorities

Abstract

The first records of social wasps in Brazil were made during expeditions that focused on the taxonomy and distribution of the species in the country. From the 70s there was a change in the essence of publications on the diversity of social wasps, which began to be directed to a specific place, which over the years have incorporated the use of sampling methodologies and analysis of results through ecological indexes. Since then, the neotropical social wasps have gained more prominence because of the recognition that act decisively in the trophic balance of ecosystems, thus increasing interest in research on these insects. So, our aim was to conduct a detailed analysis of published studies diversity of social wasps in Brazil over the past 33 years, aimed at increasing knowledge about the history of these works. For the literature review criteria were adopted: keywords with the matter and publications indexed in databases within the defined period. We found 78 publications, with the majority (70.52%) in scientific journals. From the year 2005, there was a regularly featured in publications with the years 2010, 2012 and 2014 as the most productive and a concentration of studies in BA, MG and SP states. Were used 11 collection methods, however there no a pattern of time or collection methodology, highlighting the Search-Active methods and Attractive Trap. The contribution of this analysis is to extend the current status of knowledge of social wasps with research as well as guide and encourage future studies to places unexplored.