Description of a New Species of the Genus Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Mymaridae): A Biocontrol Agent as an Alternative to Insecticide Use

Abstract

Although insects are economically important as they produce honey, silk, act as pollinators and also play an important role in functioning of an ecosystem, yet insect population is declining very fast. One of the possible causes of insects decline is excessive use of pesticides. Control of pest with synthetic chemicals or pesticides result in several issues and complications. These chemical pesticides or insecticides can also cause toxic effects on beneficial organisms like honeybees and butterflies which are important pollinators. So, biocontrol agents can be used as best alternative to control pest without harming beneficial organism and non-target insects or other organism as majority of biocontrol agents are host specific. Biological control agents including predators and parasotoids are natural enemies of insect pests. Present chapter deals with the description and illustration of one new species Anagrus (Anagrus) sololinearis sp.nov from India. This new species belongs to genus Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Mymaridae). Genus Anagrus is considered as one of the important and most promising biocontrol agents in insects as it is an egg parasitoid.