Urban greenery of Gdynia as a habitat for parasitoids of the subfamily Pimplinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae)

Abstract

Urban greenery is defined by the high density and species diversity of plants. As such, it is a habitat for various groups of insects, including pests and insectivores. This study aims to determine the species composition and abundance of parasitoids of the subfamily Pimplinae in urban green spaces. The study was conducted between 2009 and 2016 in Gdynia. Sweep-net sampling and collecting dead insects from the beach were used. A total of 442 specimens belonging to 45 species of Pimplinae were collected. They represented 66.18% of the species listed in this habitat and 32.61% of the species found in Poland. The dominant species included Tromatobia lineatoria (14.26%), Scambus inanis (10.41%), Zaglyptus varipes (7.92%), Tromatobia ovivora (7.70%), Acropimpla pictipes (6.57%), Scambus calobatus (5.43%) and Gregopimpla inquisitor (5.21%). Three trophic groups were distinguished among the parasitoids, including parasitoids of phytophagous insects, i.e. Arachnida and Aculeata. Parasitoids of phytophagous insects were the most abundant [34 species (75.55%)].