The study of relationships between living beings is essential for understanding the functioning of the ecosystem for the management and conservation of biota, especially in rich and threatened biomes such as the Brazilian Cerrado. Therefore, this study aims to report the occupation of abandoned social wasp’s nests by termites in this biome. In this study, the occupation of two abandoned nests of Synoeca surinama (L.) by the termite Nasutitermes obscurus (Holmgren), recorded by chance, in April 2023 in a gallery forest with the same vegetation type of the Cerrado, located in the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park in southeastern Brazil. Both social wasp nests had their cells occupied by termites, which may have been used as a satellite nest for N. obscurus. This is the first record of a termite species occupying a social wasp’s nests; however, further studies are needed to better elucidate this relationship.

Com o objetivo de conhecer a fauna de formigas que coabita os cupinzeiros de Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar) no Cerrado sensu stricto do Brasil Central, foram realizadas coletas em 36 cupinzeiros em três localidades. Os cupinzeiros foram fragmentados e o material coletado foi armazenado em frascos com álcool a 80%. Apresentamos aqui uma lista das formigas associadas aos cupinzeiros de C. cumulans. Um total de 61 espécies distribuídas em nove subfamílias e 32 gêneros foi coletado. A subfamília Myrmicinae apresentou o maior número de gêneros (15) e de espécies (22). Estes resultados indicam que ninhos de cupins são importantes recursos de nidificação para várias espécies de formigas no Brasil Central.Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Associated with Nests of Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar) (Isoptera, Termitidae) in the Cerrado of Central BrazilAbstract. In order to survey the ant fauna inhabiting termite nests of Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar) in the Cerrado sensu stricto of Central Brazil, we collected inquiline ants in 36 termitaries in three localities. Termite mounds were fragmented and the ants collected and preserved in 80% ethanol. Here we present a list of the associated ants found in mounds of C. cumulans. A total of 61 species belonging to nine subfamilies and 32 genera were collected. The subfamily Myrmicinae had the largest number of genera (15) and species (22). The results indicate that termite mounds are an important nesting resource for several ant species in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Rhynchotermes nasutissimus (Silvestri) is a leaf litter feeder species distributed through the Neotropical region. We found for the first time this species associated with rat carrion in an urban area of Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil. Ten soldiers and 36 workers were spread in the cavities and between internal leathers of the carrion’s dry remains of the animal that have been exposed during a week in the soil, in March 2012, at end of the wet season. We believe that this uncommon behavior may reflect a nutritional need.Primeiro Registro de Rhynchotermes nasutissimus (Silvestri) (Isoptera: Syntermitinae) Associado à Carcaça de Rato em Brasília, BrasilResumo. Rhynchotermes nasutissimus (Silvestri) é uma espécie que se alimenta de folhas de serrapilheira, distribuída pela região Neotropical. Encontrou-se pela primeira vez esta espécie associada com carcaça de rato, em uma área urbana de Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil. Os dez soldados e 36 operários se encontravam dispersos entre as vértebras e restos secos do animal que foi exposto durante uma semana no solo em março de 2012, final da estação chuvosa. Acredita-se que este comportamento raro seja resultado de alguma deficiência nutricional.