Changing diversity of hymenopteran parasitoids from organically and conventionally managed tea-ecosystem of North Bengal, India.
J Environ Biol
;
2005 Jul; 26(3): 505-9
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-113639
ABSTRACT
Tea, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, is grown conventionally (application of chemical fertilizer and pesticides) as well as organically in Darjeeling hills and adjoining plains. Studies on parasitic Hymenoptera gain relevance due to their effective role as biocontrol agents for maintenance of ecological balance and as biological indicators of health of tea agro-ecosystem. Diversity of the hymenopterans was studied using Shannon-Weaver index (1963) both at morphospecies and family levels. The analysis reflected the changing diversity of this group with season, pesticide application and the condition of the tea crop. It further indicated that mainly four parasitoid groups such as braconids, ichneumonids, eulophids and scelionids, showed greater diversity in organic plantation as compared to conventional. Since species (= RTU recognizable taxonomic unit) diversity and family diversity indices agreed with one another a surrogacy based system (family for RTU) could be adopted for diversity analysis.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Seasons
/
Species Specificity
/
Wasps
/
Climate
/
Camellia sinensis
/
Biodiversity
/
Agriculture
/
Host-Parasite Interactions
/
India
/
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Environ Biol
Year:
2005
Type:
Article
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