Diversity of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) in a Pinus spp. and Juniperus flaccida forest in Jaumave, Tamaulipas, Mexico

Abstract

Ichneumonids are parasitoid wasps with importance in the biological control of insect pests and constitute one of the most diverse families of Hymenoptera. The objective of this research was to know the diversity of Ichneumonidae and its relationship with temperature and rainfall in one locality of Jaumave, Tamaulipas, Mexico, during one year. One Malaise tramp was operated at 1,450 m in a dry forest with Pinus nelsonii, P cembroides and Juniperus flaccida, with a small source of water near it. The number of ichneumonids collected was 1,115. Cryptinae was the subfamily best represented in number of genera and species, Pimpla the genus more abundant and Pachysomoides stupidus the species with more individuals. High diversity of this family was found in the studied locality. High correlation was found between Ichneumonidae and temperature, and a moderate correlation with rainfall. Three species are new records for Mexico and 5 for Tamaulipas, therefore 1,298 species are known in the country. This research contributes to the knowledge of Ichneumonidae in dry areas from Mexico. All Rights Reserved (C) 2015 Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia. This is an open access item distributed under the Creative Commons CC License BY-NC-ND 4.0.