Feeding and mating behavior of Dorcacerus barbatus (Olivier, 1790) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) on Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae)

In this study we describe the mating behavior of Dorcacerus barbatus (Olivier, 1790) and its predation on the reproductive parts of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in a restored area of Atlantic forest, in southeastern Brazil. Lantana camara is regarded as one of the world’s ten worst weeds. We found three species of longhorn beetles on this plant: Trachyderes succintus duponti Aurivillius, 1912, Andraegodius rufipes zonatus (Dalman, 1823), and D. barbatus; this last species represented more than 95% of all individuals found. This is the first record of these three cerambycid species on L. camara. We observed a sequence of mating-behavior stages: jousting, antennation, holding, mounting, fighting, licking, abdomen bending, and copulation. D. barbatus destroyed 60% of the reproductive parts during the mating process. These primary observations indicate that D. barbatus may be considered as a potential biocontrol agent for this invasive species. Keywords: Biological control, invasive species, insect behavior, herbivory, Atlantic Rain Forest.