DIVERSITY OF PARASITOID WASPS (HYMENOPTERA) IN TWO FOREST FRAGMENTS: EVALUATING THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

Parasitoid wasp diversity influenced by environmental variables

Abstract

Understanding how environmental conditions shape insect diversity in human-modified landscapes is critical for biodiversity conservation in the Brazilian Cerrado. In this context, parasitoid hymenopterans may be effective biodiversity indicators because of their high trophic position and close ecological associations with host arthropods. In this study, we evaluated the abundance and richness of parasitoid wasp families in two Cerrado forest fragments in central Brazil differing in size and surrounding land use. Using yellow pan traps, we collected 247 specimens belonging to 19 families between August 2020 and February 2021. Aphelinidae, Bethylidae, Ichneumonidae, Mutillidae, Mymaridae, and Platygastridae were the most abundant families. Generalized Linear Mixed Models indicated a negative effect of humidity on both richness and abundance, while area and temperature had no significant influence. No consistent temporal trends or differences between fragments were detected. These results suggest that regional environmental conditions, particularly humidity, play a key role in structuring parasitoid wasp assemblages in fragmented Cerrado landscapes and highlight the need for longer-term and multi-scale studies to better understand parasitoid community dynamics in tropical savannas.