Description of two new parasites of an aphid from North India (Aphidiidae: Ichneumonoidea and Pteromalidae: Chalcidoidea)

Abstract

Aphids (or "plant lice") are among the most important pests of cultivated plants. The study of their natural enemies, therefore, is of great interest and practical importance. However, very little work has been done on the insect parasites of the Aphidae in India, especially from the taxonomic point of view. Hence this contribution should prove to be of interest as well as use to workers in the feilds of taxonomy and biological control of insect pests. Of the two new species described below, one belongs to the Chalcidsoid family Pteromalidae and the other to the lcheuminoid family Aphidiidae (Incibidae of authoers).