This study set out to test the hypothesis that parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Parasitica) are suitable bioindicators for, and can provide a useful means to assess, the wider biodiversity of arthropod populations in agro-ecosystems. A total of 178 genera of parasitoid Hymenoptera were identified in agricultural grasslands during the study. These identifications have been verified by independent taxonomic experts, and include ten taxa not previously recorded from Ireland. All taxa, including the new records were collected from moderately-to-intensively managed grasslands, suggesting that even in such commonplace habitats there may be much Irish biodiversity yet to be discovered. Using multiple data sets, we show that in agricultural grasslands both the abundance and diversity of parasitoid wasp taxa are more closely correlated with overall arthropod diversity than is the incidence of any other insect group; a fact that provides us with a practicable and usable monitoring tool for tracking change in wider arthropod diversity.

Assessment of parasitoid assemblages in existing Teagasc field experiments contrasting different aspects of grassland husbandry (the use of conservation field margins at Johnstown Castle, and the reduction of nutrient inputs and stocking rates at Johnstown Castle and Grange) showed a consistent pattern of management effects on parasitoid abundance, diversity and altered community structure; parasitoid taxa associated with predictable host groups such as aphids and dung-breeding Diptera, being more prominent in more intensive grassland treatments, while a greater diversity of parasitoids of particularly well concealed plant-mining and gall-forming insect larval hosts, and insect and spider eggs being characteristic of more extensive management treatments.

The project has confirmed the initial hypothesis and illustrated the bioindicator potential of parasitoids populations. The total abundance of parasitoids is a reliable and relatively easily measured indicator of overall arthropod diversity in agricultural grasslands, providing an eminently user friendly monitoring tool. However, the project has also shown that a more detailed knowledge of parasitoid taxonomy, biology and host groups can provide a unique ecological insight into underlying environmental influences affecting wider arthropod biodiversity and community structure. With improving knowledge of their host group relationships, parasitoids offer a unique means to study the highly ?cryptic?, hidden biodiversity that occurs even in the most commonplace of habitats, and which would otherwise be almost impossible to assess directly by any other means.

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Anderson, A. Purvis, G. Helden, A. Sheridan, H.   "Diversity of parasitic Hymenoptera in Irish agricultural grasslands". Associated datasets and digitial information objects connected to this resource are available at: Secure Archive For Environmental Research Data (SAFER) managed by Environmental Protection Agency Ireland https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=18e90b38-507d-102b-950d-28616e04c7da (Last Accessed: 2024-09-19)

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=61
Resource Keywords	Parasitic Hymenoptera, Biodiversity, Agricultural grassland
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2003-FS-CD-LS-14-M1
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Biodiversity
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Any persons or organisations wishing to make use of the data provided should list obtain the consent of the primary author, and any subsequent use should acknowledge this data source including authors and original source of funding
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	2
Project Start Date	Monday 1st July 2002 (01-07-2002)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Monday 1st July 2002 (01-07-2002)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Wednesday 31st August 2005 (31-08-2005)
Published on SAFER	Monday 31st March 2008 (31-03-2008)
Date of Last Edit	Tuesday 3rd June 2008 at 20:07:01 (03-06-2008)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Tuesday 3rd June 2008 at 20:07:01 (03-06-2008)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
South Eastern Ireland. Lowland (below 200m) grass-based agricultural land was sampled from the counties: Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Laois, Kildare and Meath. Detailed site description cannot be given to maintain farmer confidentiality.

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