Diversity of parasitic fauna of conventional rice ecosystem during kuruvai season at Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu

Arthropod natural enemies are often vital biological control agents of various insect pests of rice ecosystem which include a wide range of predators and parasitoids. Determining the natural enemies and biodiversity of rice fields is the first step to success in biological control and IIPM (Integrated production and pest management) programmes. In the present study, there were four methods of collection viz. sweep net, Malaise trap, UV light trap and yellow pan trap were used to gather parasitoids from ADT-36 rice variety during Kuruvai season (June - September) in 2012. The rice variety was cultivated following the conventional practices like application of inorganic manures, pesticides, micronutrients etc., The results of the diversity of parasitic fauna of conventional rice ecosystem revealed that a total of 889 parasitoids were collected through net sweep, 631 in Malaise trap, 534 in yellow pan trap and 308 in UV light trap during Kuruvai, 2012. Thirteen different agriculturally important parasitic families were collected and identified. Among the families collected, Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Scelionidae and Chalcididae were found predominant.  Dryniidae was recorded only in yellow pan trap. Among the collection methods employed, Net sweep was found to be the best in collection of parasitoids than other methods in conventional rice ecosystems