New Records of Eulophidae (Hymenoptera) Parasitoids Attacking Leafminer Species on Vegetable Crops

Abstract

Leafminer flies are serious pests of vegetable crops, causing extensive foliar damage that reduces photosynthetic efficiency and marketable yield. Parasitoid wasps of the family Eulophidae play a crucial role in regulating leafminer populations, yet their diversity and distribution remain insufficiently documented in several vegetable-growing regions. The present study reports new faunal records of Eulophidae parasitoids associated with leafminer infestations in key vegetable crops. Field surveys were conducted in tomato, bean, cucurbits, and leafy vegetable fields, and infested leaves containing active mines were collected and incubated under laboratory conditions to allow parasitoid emergence. Emerged adults were preserved and identified using standard taxonomic keys based on morphological characteristics such as antennal segmentation, wing venation patterns, body coloration, and mesosoma sculpture. The study recorded several species belonging to genera Diglyphus, Neochrysocharis, and Pnigalio, representing new distributional and host association records for the surveyed region. Parasitism levels varied across crops and sampling periods, with higher parasitoid activity observed during moderate temperature and high humidity conditions. Host plant species and leafminer density influenced parasitoid abundance and emergence rates, indicating a strong host–parasitoid interaction within vegetable agroecosystems. The findings highlight the ecological importance of eulophid parasitoids as natural enemies of leafminers and emphasize their potential contribution to biological control programs. Documentation of these new records expands the known biodiversity of parasitoids in agricultural landscapes and provides baseline information for future integrated pest management strategies. Overall, the study underscores the need for conservation of parasitoid complexes to enhance sustainable suppression of leafminer pests in vegetable production systems.