ABSTRACT Decomposition of leaf litter from pioneer tree species and development of associated soil meso- and macrofauna are fundamental for rehabilitation processes in reclaimed coal mining areas. The aim of our study was to evaluate decomposition of Schinus terebinthifolius and Senna multijuga to answer three basic questions: (i) What type of leaf litter degrades faster in reclaimed coal min\ing areas? (ii) Is leaf decomposition correlated with the stage of regeneration and exposure time? and (iii) Does the type of leaf litter influence the diversity and abundance of the soil meso- and macrofauna species collected? Experiments were carried out in the state of Santa Catarina in three areas at different stages of regeneration. A total of 32 litter bags (16 per plant species) were used per study site, and they were divided into four blocks along a transect. Sampling was carried out at 15, 30, 60, and 120 days, when one litter bag per species/block was removed at random. We found no statistically significant difference between S. terebinthifolius and S. multijuga in regard to leaf-litter decomposition rate. However, the “area”, “litter bag exposure time” and “fauna richness” factors were significant. Therefore, shading and time of reclamation of areas contribute to an increase in decomposition rate and in development of soil meso- and macrofauna communities.

A busca por novos métodos de manejo e controle de formigas-cortadeiras vem sendo enfoque de inúmeros estudos pelo país, impulsionada por aspectos econômicos e ambientais. O estabelecimento de espécies resistentes ou menos preferidas ao corte pode contribuir substancialmente neste sentido. Logo, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a preferência de corte entre as espécies Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus globulus e híbrido de Eucalyptus urophylla X Eucalyptus grandis por Acromyrmex ambiguus e Acromyrmex crassispinus em laboratório. Para isso, folhas foram ofertadas, simultaneamente, para seis colônias de cada espécie em bioensaios com chance de escolha. No entanto, nos testes sem chance de escolha, apenas as espécies menos preferidas pelo teste anterior foram utilizadas. Para Acromyrmex crassispinus, as espécies Eucalyptus camaldulensis e híbrido de Eucalyptus urophylla X Eucalyptus grandis foram mais cortadas, enquanto que as espécies Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus dunnii e Eucalyptus globulus foram menos preferidas ao corte. Acromyrmex ambiguus apresentou padrão similar de preferência, adicionando-se Eucalyptus benthamii entre as mais preferidas e excluindo-se Eucalyptus dunnii das menos preferidas.

The search for new leafcutter ant management and control methods have been the aim of several studies over the country, propelled by economic and environmental aspects. The establishment of resistant or less preferred species for the cut can contribute substantially in this subject. This way, the objective of this study was to evaluate the cutting preference between the species Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus globulus and híbrido de Eucalyptus urophylla X Eucalyptus grandis by Acromyrmex ambiguus and Acromyrmex crassispinus in laboratory. Therefore, leafs were offered simultaneously to six colonies of each species in bioassays with chance to choose. However, in the tests without chance to choose, only the least preferred species in the previous test were utilized. For Acromyrmex crassispinus, the species Eucalyptus camaldulensis and híbrido de Eucalyptus urophylla X Eucalyptus grandis were the most cutted, besides Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus dunni and Eucalyptus globules were less preferred. Acromyrmex ambiguus showed similar preference pattern, adding Eucalyptus benthamii among the most preferred one and excluding Eucalyptus dunnii from the least preferred.

Uma colônia de formigas Camponotus cingulatus foi coletada e identificada a partir de uma floricultura no município de Capão do Leão, consistindo no seu primeiro registro para o estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Por apresentar grande densidade de infestação, além de associação com hemípteros sugadores de seiva e agressividade ao serem perturbadas, essas formigas reduziram as vendas e tornaram-se um incômodo para o proprietário. Dessa forma, este registro aponta para a necessidade de pesquisas sobre essa formiga no estado.

One colony of the ants Camponotus cingulatus was collected and identified in a flower shop in the municipality of Capão do Leão, becoming the first record in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. By showing high densities of infestation, besides an association with phloem-sucking hemipterans and aggressiveness after being disturbed, these insects reduced the sales and became a nuisance to the owner. Therefore, this record points to the need for further studies about this ant in the State.