ABSTRACT
Scelionidae (Platygastroidea: Hymenoptera) are an important group of insects, known for their potential as egg parasitoids of a wide range of insects and also spiders. With numerous desirable traits as natural enemies, they are efficient candidates for biocontrol programs. As per the known rearing records, the hosts of subfamily Telenominae are mainly Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera or Neuroptera, while for Scelioninae, the majority of the hosts are Orthoptera and those of Teleasinae are Coleoptera. The most important Scelionid genera relevant in the field of biocontrol are Telenomus Haliday, Trissolcus Ashmead and Gryon Haliday. Definitive host–associations of scelionids in India are scanty. The diversity of Scelionidae in India is largely unexplored. The current status of diversity accounts for 65 valid genera with more than 400 species. In India, the most species-rich genera of scelionids are Telenomus Haliday and Trissolcus Ashmead, Scelio Latreille, Calliscelio, Ashmead, Gryon Haliday, Cremastobaeus Kieffer, Certaobaeus Ashmead, Baeus Haliday, Idris Förster, and Trimorus Förster. Habitat or ecosystem-based baseline data on their species diversity, along with advanced morphological and molecular studies would lead to an improved understanding. This would be a major step towards better utilisation of these biocontrol agents as valuable tools in sustainable agriculture.
