Hymenopteran Parasitoids Diversity Associated with Organic and Coventional Agroecosystems in West Sumatera, Indonesia

Abstract

The use of pesticides in agricultural ecosystems does not only cause environmental pollution, but also  impovert  diversity of natural enemies such as parasitoids and predators as well as causes the emergence of pests resistance to pesticides. The study was focused to identify and compare the abundance, diversity and evenness of Hymenopteran parasitoid species  in organic and conventional agroecosystems. This research was conducted in several organic and conventional vegetable agroecosystems in West Sumatera. The tools used for the collection of insects were farmcop, sweep net and yellow pan traps. A total of 717 individuals of Hymenopteran parasitoids belonging to 21 families and 131 species were recorded during the study. A total of 533 individuals collected in organic agroecosystem consisted of 20 families and 85 species of Hymenopteran parasitoids, whereas in conventional agroecosystems there were 184 individuals collected cosisted of 13 families and 46 species of Hymenopteran parasitoids. This study also demonstrated a strong relationship between crops and Hymenopteran parasitoid composition. Species diversity and evenness of Hymenopteran parasitoids were higher in organic than in conventional agroecosystems.