~ 1011 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2018; 6(5): 1011-1014 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2018; 6(5): 1011-1014 © 2018 JEZS Received: 21-07-2018 Accepted: 22-08-2018 Veena MN Department of Zoology, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka, India Shwetha S Department of Zoology, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka, India Raju L Department of Zoology, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka, India Vaibhav PU Department of Zoology, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka, India Dheeraj K Veeranagoudar Department of Zoology, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka, India Pulikeshi M Biradar Department of Zoology, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka, India Correspondence Veena MN Department of Zoology, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka, India Survey of hymenopteran diversity in Karnatak University Campus, Dharwad (Karnataka) India Veena MN, Shwetha S, Raju L and Vaibhav PU, Dheeraj K Veeranagoudar and Pulikeshi M Biradar Abstract Hymenopterans are one of the diverse groups of insects in size, structure, numbers, habitats and food preferences. These are most evolved and diversed of all the terrestrial insects and they also act as pollinators, predators and parasitoids there by helping in the improvement of agricultural productions and the economy. The present study was undertaken to survey the diversity of hymenopterans within the Karnatak University Campus, Dharwad. The survey was undertaken by using different collection methods such as, hand picking, aerial net and pitfall trap. The study revealed the occurrence of 35 species belonging to 09 hymenopteran families. Further, when the data was looked for the occurrence of dominancy in terms of number of species, Formicidae was the most dominant family followed by Vespidae and Apidae, where as Scoliidae, Sphecidae, Syrphide and Mutillidae were the least dominated families in the present study area. Keywords: Diversity, hymenoptera, KU Campus, Dharwad Introduction Hymenopterans consist of a variety of insects such as ants, bees and wasps, including few parasitoid wasps which are small, flashy and few are phytophagous, predators and pollinators. They are one of the largest components of terrestrial ecosystem with approximately 1,15,000 described species. They occupy various terrestrial habitats and represent more than 20% of all insect population, they also have much economic importance as they contribute in enhancing the production of commercial products [1-3] . It is an important insect group containing agriculturally, ecologically and economically valuable species, for example, ants, honey bees and bumble bees are good pollinators, honey bees have been described as ecological indicators of biodiversity or landscape structure in environmental studies and they need rich flowering plant diversity. These play a very important role in the smooth functioning of ecosystems [4] . Hymenopteran parasitoids are well known bio-control agents in agricultural fields and are essential for natural pest control. The Karnatak University campus is covered by lush greenery with flowering plants. The distribution of Hymenopterans in this campus remains unstudied and poorly understood, hence, the present study was undertaken so as to survey, document and create a base line data of Hymenopteran diversity in KU campus, Dharwad. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Study area Karnatak University Campus, Dharwad, commonly known as “Chotta Mahabaleshwar Hill” is located at an elevation of 698.97m above MSL (15 o 26’ 24” N and 74 o 59’3” E) (Figure-1). The campus is spread over an area of 750 acres with undulating topography with lush greenery and various species of flora. It is rich in dry deciduous vegetation, endowed with more than 150 plant families. Throughout the year it has a pleasant environment with temperature ranging from 16 to 38 o C and average annual rainfall of about 800mm. 2.2 Sampling and identification of hymenopterans Most of the hymenopteran species were collected by hand- picking method. Pitfall trap method was used for the collection of ground dwelling species and even sometimes ants. Aerial net was only used to collect flying hymenopterans such as Bees and Wasps. Soon after collecting, multiple photographs of the specimens were taken in the field itself and then they were released back. Later, the photographs were used for the identification based on the standard