The effect of vegetation in apple orchard edges on the phenology of parasitoids from the subfamily Pimplinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae)

Abstract

Wild vegetation neighbouring orchards may be a factor attracting imagines of parasitoids from the subfamily Pimplinae into fruit tree plantations and thus increase both their species diversity and population size in this habitat. For this reason in the years 2008–2010 a study was initiated on the phenology of 8 dominant Pimplinae species in apple orchards and on their edges, which included shrubberies and roadside avenues of trees and shrubs. Slightly higher numbers of Pimplinae were recorded in orchards compared to their edges. At strong correlation was observed between the counts of Pimplinae in both habitats. The preference of selection of orchards by Pimplinae was observed in the autumn period, while no such preference was found in the spring or summer months. Analyses showed that flowering plants in the orchard edges such as Tilia cordata, Symphoricarpos albus, Cirsium arvense and Galium aparine may have attracted Pimplinae to the orchards.