Diversity of Platygastroidea Species in Coffee Ecosystem at Thadiyankudisai, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

During a one-year study from January, 2018 to January, 2019 at the Horticultural Research Station, Thadiyankudisai, Tamil Nadu, a combined count of 550 individuals of Platygastroidea species were documented under two family platygastridae (1 species) and scelionidae (9 species). Among the species diversity comprised of Telenomus sp. (52.0%) followed by Scelio sp. (11.4%), Calliscelio sp. (9.1%), Sparasion sp. (6.9%), Idris sp. (5.8%) and Baryconus sp. (4.0%). The least population was recorded in Tritelia sp. (2.2%). Researches on seasonal abundance exposed that the winter season exhibited the highest species population at 32.55%, with the South West Monsoon (SWM) following closely at 30.36%, while the North East Monsoon (NEM) period recorded the lowest species count at 16.54%. The prevalence of insect pests poses a significant challenge to achieving optimal yields in horticultural crops. Consequently, the examination of Platygastroidea species diversity assumes a pivotal role in the success of biological control strategies.