Diversity of parasitoid wasps (Insecta, Hymenoptera) in oilseed rape fields in Serbia

Oilseed rape is an important crop grown worldwide and used for various purposes, including oil extraction and animal feed. In Europe, there are six major pest species and several other minor pests that can significantly affect oilseed rape production, requiring growers to effectively control them in order to ensure crop yield. The host-parasitoid complexes of these pests have been studied in detail and recorded mainly in western, central and northern Europe. As an abundant source of pollen and nectar, oilseed rape may also be attractive to other parasitoids that do not have direct trophic interactions with oilseed rape pest species. The aim of this study is to fill the knowledge gap regarding the wider parasitoid community in oilseed rape fields, particularly in southern Europe.

During the two-year study, a total of 3135 specimens of primary and secondary parasitoids were sampled, of which 2855 were found in oilseed rape fields and 280 in semi-natural habitats. We found 153 taxa, of which 119 were found in oilseed rape fields and 87 in semi-natural habitats. We identified 31 genera (33 species) as parasitoids of oilseed rape pests, 54 genera (97 species) parasitising non-pest species and 10 genera (23 species) as possible parasitoids of oilseed rape pests. This study shows that the parasitoid community in oilseed rape fields is very diverse and that includes parasitoids of both oilseed rape pest and non-pest species.

油菜是全球广泛种植的重要经济作物，可用于油脂提取、动物饲料生产等多种用途。在欧洲，共有6种主要害虫物种与多种次要害虫，它们会对油菜生产造成显著负面影响，种植者需对其实施有效防控以保障作物产量。前述害虫的寄主-寄生蜂复合体（host-parasitoid complexes）已在西欧、中欧与北欧得到详尽研究与记录。作为花粉与花蜜的丰富来源，油菜还可能吸引其他与油菜害虫无直接营养级互作关系的寄生蜂类群。本研究旨在填补油菜田内更广泛寄生蜂类群相关的知识空白，尤其是南欧地区的相关研究缺口。

在为期两年的研究周期内，研究人员共采集到3135份初级与次级寄生蜂标本，其中2855份采自油菜田，剩余280份采自半自然生境。本次研究共记录到153个分类单元（taxa），其中119个发现于油菜田，87个发现于半自然生境。经鉴定，共有31个属（33个物种）为油菜害虫的寄生蜂，54个属（97个物种）以非害虫物种为寄主，另有10个属（23个物种）为油菜害虫的潜在寄生蜂。本研究结果表明，油菜田内的寄生蜂类群极为多样，涵盖了针对油菜害虫与非害虫物种的各类寄生蜂。