A Study of the Ichneumonid Wasp of Fauna Gunung Jerai, Kedah, Malaysia

A preliminary study on the fauna of ichneumonid wasps at three different altitudes (150 - 200 m, 700 - 800 m and 1000 - 1100 m above sea level [asl]) of Gunung Jerai, Kedah, Malaysia was conducted. A total of 32 inchneumonid individuals from 21 species, 16 genera and six subfamilies (Cryptinae, Metopiinae, Campopleginae, Banchinae, Pimplinae and Ophininae) were collected. The Cryptinae had the highest number of individuals (15), genera (8) and species (9). However, the most dominant genus was Leptobatopsis (Banchinae) with six individuals. The genera Leptobatopsis and Friona seemed to be specialized and adapted to higher altitudes of Gunung Jerai (1000 - 1100 m asl). Of 16 genera recorded, seven (Sulcarius, Palpostilpus, Caenopimpla, Acerataspis, Eriborus, Sinophorus, and Rhachoaplex) were new records for Malaysia. Interestingly, the genus Sulcarius was recorded for the first time in the Oriental and Australian Regions. The number of ichneumonid individuals was somewhat higher at 1000 - 1100 m than at the lower altitudes.