Taxonomy and New Records of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) as Natural Enemies of Soil-Dwelling Arthropod Pests

Abstract

Taxonomic assessment and faunistic surveys of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) were conducted to document new distributional records and their role as natural enemies of soil-dwelling arthropod pests in agricultural ecosystems. Field sampling across diverse agroecological habitats revealed the presence of pompilid wasps associated with burrowed and ground-dwelling arthropod hosts, particularly spiders and other soil-inhabiting pest complexes. Adult specimens were collected using sweep netting, pitfall traps, and soil emergence traps, and were identified based on detailed morphological characteristics including wing venation, antennal structure, and characteristic body coloration patterns. Identification was further supported by COI-based DNA barcoding, confirming species-level resolution and revealing cryptic diversity within sampled populations. Several species of Pompilidae were recorded as new faunal records for the surveyed regions, expanding the known distribution range of this family in agroecosystems. Behavioral observations indicated active host-searching in soil microhabitats, with oviposition occurring on immobilized arthropod hosts, highlighting their ecological role as specialized parasitoids/predators in below-ground food webs. Seasonal abundance patterns showed higher activity during warm and dry periods, corresponding with increased availability of soil-dwelling hosts. Phylogenetic analysis placed collected specimens within established Pompilidae lineages, with moderate genetic divergence among populations, suggesting regional adaptation and ecological specialization. The study emphasizes the importance of conserving ground-dwelling parasitoid diversity for maintaining soil ecosystem balance. These findings provide new taxonomic records and ecological insights into Pompilidae as beneficial natural enemies and highlight their potential role in integrated pest management strategies targeting soil-dwelling arthropod pests.