Diversity of Hymenoptera associated with Pieris spp. (Pieridae: Lepidoptera) – I (Chalcidoidea)

During recent times pierids are gaining importance as pests of several agricultural crops viz. cole crops, brassicaceous oilseeds, and ornamental plants in many parts of the world. This has in turn given an impetus to research on their biological control within the ambit of integrated pest management. Attention, therefore, has been focused on the search for existing and also new natural enemies. For this an up to date analysis of the already existing information is essential. Therefore an attempt was made to compile a world inventory of Hymenoptera associated with Pieris spp. An indepth survey of literature from many primary and secondary sources of information material, both electronic and non-electronic and various other related books, journals, bulletins, Newsletter etc. were accessed. More than 80 species of hymenopterans under 32 genera have been recoreded till date to be exerting natural on Pieris spp. from all over the world. Among them 56 species belonging to 19 genera act as parasitoids while 5 species under 3 genera act as predators of various stages of Pieris spp. Further many a times the activity of the parasitoids is restricted by the action of the hyperparasitoids which comprise of 19 species under 10 genera. This inventory has been reinforced with all associated details on mainly zoogeographical distribution, parasitism potential attributes and other relevant details from primary sources so as to make it serve as an important startup tool for planning any IPM strategy, involving biocontrol of Pieris spp. This inventory is being published in three parts, each part referring to a particular group of Hymenoptera finally followed by a short discussion.