Diversity of Hymenopteran predators and parasitoids in Assam Agricultural University Campus, Jorhat

Abstract

Predators and parasitoids play a major role in maintaining a balance in nature and controlling prey population below the level causing economic damage. A preliminary study to explore the diversity of Hymenopteran predators and parasitoids was carried out from different ecosystems of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat campus during 2014 to 2016. During the course of the present study it was observed that larval parasitoids represented by 6 families and 23 species was the most dominant followed by predators (5 families and 20 species) and egg parasitoids (5 families and 13 species). The study suggested the presence of a wide array of natural enemies which may be of great value in the biological control. Therefore, great emphasis is required for the conservation and augmentation of rich natural enemy fauna in the Jorhat district of Assam.