Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Aphelinid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of armoured scale insects (Homoptera: Diaspididae) from India

*Rehmat T, Anis SB, Khan MT, Fatma J, Begum S

The members of the family Diaspididae are among the most important pests in agriculture and considered as a promising target for the biological control programmes. These insects may attack any part of plant by sucking sap, injecting toxic saliva, due to which the trees show heavy damage resulting in collapse. However, these insects are usually parasitized by the members of the families like Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae. Among these families of parasitic hymenoptera, the members of the family Aphelinidae appear to be a dominant factor in bringing about partial to complete control of these insects. The taxonomic study of these parasitoids is essential to provide correct identification without which successful control measures cannot be achieved. Present work is a preliminary step in providing knowledge of Indian Aphelinid genera which acts as an efficient biocontrol agent against above mentioned pest species and found to be helpful in biological control programmes.