Hymenopteran Fauna of Andanan Watershed Forest Reserve in Caraga Region, Philippines

Abstract

The hymenopteran fauna plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, serving as primary pollinators and acting as biological controls essential in the interrelationships in the community. This study assessed various groups of Hymenoptera occurring in Andanan Watershed Forest Reserve from collected samples through sweeping, light trapping, and opportunistic sampling. A total of 36 species of hymenopterans were identified, belonging to 30 genera, 20 subfamilies, 11 families, and four superfamilies. One genus of Scoliidae – Phalerimeris, with one species, P. aurulenta, and a single species of Liacos – L. semperi, are reported in the Philippines for the first time, while the sphecine wasp Isodontia is a new record to Mindanao island. Formicidae is the most abundant family comprising 40% of all the collected individuals. Other groups with significant numbers include the families Apidae and Vespidae. Additional families present in the area include social apoid bees Halictidae and solitary bees Megachilidae. Predatory apoid wasps Crabronidae and Sphecidae, predatory vespoid wasps Pompilidae, Mutillidae, Scoliidae, and the parasitoid wasps Ichneumonidae were also reported. Anthropogenic activities and human interventions are also observed in the area, which may pose threats to the diversity of hymenopteran fauna in the forest reserve.