Parasitic Entomofauna in Urban and Agricultural Landscapes of the Pomorze and Kujawy Region I. Primary Parasitoids of Aphids from the Aphis Genera

Abstract

13 species of parasitoids were determined of which 12 belonged to the family Aphidiidae. Similarity in species composition between the areas compared, measured with Marczewski-Steinhaus’s index (MS) was 81.2%, with 8 species present in all three types of ecosystems (61.5%). The following parasitoid species were dominants in all three types of ecosystems: Lysiphlebus fabarum (dominance index D: 48.7-27.7%) and Trioxys angelicae (D: 36.5-35.6%); other numerous species included Lysiphlebus cardui, Aphelinus chaonia, Aphidus matricariae and Praon abjectum. In terms of basic ecological parameters, dominance and frequency, L. fabarum and T. angelicae (most common dominants and constants in guilds) turned out to be the species typically associated with colonies of aphids of the genus Aphis, irrespective of the type of ecosystem. Guilds of parasitic hymenopterans in all three types of habitats examined were similar in their dominance structure (species composition – MS=72.9%, on average and ratios between species – Renkonen’s index: Re=79.1, on average). Generally, the composition of species of parasitoids of the genus Aphis in the urban landscape was highly similar to rural areas (similarity rate over 70%).