Abstract

PINENT, Silvia M.J.; ROMANOWSKI, Helena P.; REDAELLI, Luiza R.  and  MOUND, Laurence A.. Thrips species (Thysanoptera) collected at Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, RS, Brazil. Neotrop. Entomol. [online]. 2003, vol.32, n.4, pp. 619-623. ISSN 1519-566X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1519-566X2003000400012.

The order Thysanoptera comprises mostly phytophagous or fungivorous species, with a few species that are predators. Recent studies have emphasized the diversity of behavioural patterns amongst these diminutive insects. From the 5,500 species known worldwide, about 10% are recorded from Brazil, mostly tropical areas. In this work we surveyed the Thysanoptera fauna of a southern locality, 800 km south of the Tropic of Capricorn. The study site was ''Parque Estadual de Itapuã'' (30°22'S 51°02'W), Viamão, RS, and thrips were sampled from wild flowers, branches, grass and litter, from June 1999 to May 2001. A total of 83 species in 32 genera was found, but only 29 of these species could be identified, emphasizing the poor knowledge of the insect fauna of southern Brazil.

Keywords : Insecta; thysanopterofauna; diversity.