1MES Mampad College (Autonomous), Affiliated to University of Calicut, Mampad (City), Malappuram676542, Kerala, India
*Email: rabeeapvh@gmail.com (corresponding author 1)
**Email: marafeeq@mesmampadcollege.edu.in (corresponding author 2)
This study investigates the influence of bund vegetation in supporting Chalcididae parasitoids in pesticide treated and control kole rice fields in Kerala. The study was conducted during a single cropping season from December, 2021- May, 2022, at five time points to record parasitoid abundance and diversity corresponding to rice growth stages. A total of 84 individuals from ten species and two subfamilies were recorded, with higher abundance observed in control field. However, ANOVA results showed no significant differences in abundance across locations, sampling points, or sampling methods. Regression analysis revealed a weak positive relationship between bund vegetation scores and Chalcididae diversity of rice fields. Clustering showed locations with moderate bund vegetation grouped near the control site, while remaining pesticide treated sites formed a separate cluster. The study provides a baseline data on the potency of bund vegetation and highlights its relevance in conservation biological control, which needs further validation by studies with larger sample size and extended period.
conservation biological control, bund vegetation, kole rice, non-crop habitats, biological pest control, rice ecosystems, wetlands, pesticides, diversity, parasitic hymenoptera
