Entomopathogenic fungi are frequently used as an alternative method for insect pest control. However, only a few studies have focused on the effect of these fungi on bees and on the selectivity of fungi to beneficial organisms in agroecosystems. The objective of the present study was to assess the susceptibility of worker bees of the species Melipona scutellaris (locally known as "uruçu") to the isolate (Biofungi 1) of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. The experiment was carried through indirect contact between the fungal suspension and newlyemerged bees and topical application of the fungal suspension on the back of newly-emerged bees. The sampling design was completely randomized and comprised five treatments, which included four different concentrations of the fungus: 1 x 10 5 , 1 x 10 6 , 1 x 10 7 , 1 x 10 8 conidia/ml, and a control composed of distilled water. Each treatment had five replicates. The mortality data were subjected to an analysis of variance and a probit regression analysis, which provided an estimate of the lethal dose to 50% of the population (LD 50). The adjustment of the curves to the model was tested with a chi-squared test and differences between curves were tested with a test for parallelism. Beauveria bassiana was virulent to uruçu bees, killing the bees at the lowest dose used. These findings may help minimize the impact of this entomopathogen and, therefore, contribute to the maintenance of natural populations of these insects.

Two specimens of Temnomastax hamus Rehn & Rehn, 1942 were collected at the Advanced Base of Studies at the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso in Poconé, Mato Grosso, Pantanal. These new records extend the known distribution of the species to include the Brazilian Pantanal.

Wasps contribute to environmental quality and ecosystem services, and play a key role in the functioning of many environments. The present study identified the diversity of species of solitary wasps that occupied trap-nests in farming environments. as well as the architecture of the nests found. The study focused on three areas of agroecosystem, where 30 blocks of trap-nests, with four diameters (5 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, and 11 mm), were installed. A total of 56 nests were occupied by solitary wasps, with the most frequent species being Trypoxylon sp.1 (N=100, 54.9%), Pachodynerus cf. brevithorax (N=31, 17.0%), Trypoxylon sp.2 (N=27, 14.8%) and Caenochrysis nigropolita (N=9, 4.9%). The wasps occupied preferentially the trap-nests of 5 mm and 7 mm in diameter. Six wasp families were recorded, with the most abundant being the Crabronidae with 127 individuals, followed by the family Vespidae (N=36). Reduced number of species was recorded in the study area with frequent use of pesticides, and farming practices, which may damage nesting sites. These findings provide important guidelines for the use of agricultural practices, and emphasize the need for the adoption of effective strategies for the conservation and sustainable management of the populations of these potentially beneficial insects. KEY-WORD: Conservation, hymenopterans, agroecosystems.

Las abejas solitarias Apidae: Centridini son importantes polinizadoras de Malpighia emarginata DC. Malpighiales: Malpighiaceae. No obstante, existen pocos estudios sobre la caracterización de las poblaciones de esta especie, en áreas de plantaciones y su entorno. En este estudio fueron analizadas la variabilidad morfométrica y dimorfismo sexual de Centris tarsata Smith, recolectada en nidos artificiales instalados en cuatro tipos de vegetación. Para el estudio, se disecó el ala anterior derecha de 168 individuos, fotografiadas, y las imágenes fueron transformadas en TpsUtil y llevadas al TpsDig2 versión 2.12 para marcar 18 puntos anatómicos, usando el método de morfometría geométrica. Los datos fueron analizados a través de Análisis de Componentes Principales ACP, Variables Canónicas VC y prueba de validación cruzada, dirigida a una correcta clasificación de cada individuo en VC. Además, el análisis del tamaño de ala fue utilizado mediante el tamaño del centroide y posteriormente se hizo un análisis de varianza, comparando los tratamientos con una prueba de Tukey. Se encontró que las diferentes condiciones ambientales pueden influenciar en el Patrón morfométrico intrassexual de las abejas C. tarsata y promover selección sexual. Fue posible observar el dimorfismo sexual de C. tarsata, lo que puede ser un factor determinante para favorecer características biológicas distintas en un proceso evolutivo, contribuyendo, así, en la comprensión de los factores ecológicos, biológicos, morfogenéticos y de comportamiento, relacionados con su función en un agroecosistema.

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