Incidence of Egg Parasitism in Argiopepulchella Thorell, 1881 (Araneae: Araneidae) by Baeus Sp

Scelionid wasps are considered as idiobionts that attacks and consumes spider eggs. This group of parasitic hymenopteran insects parasitize the egg sacs of spiders, thereby playing a significant role in controlling the spider population. Wasps of Baeini tribe, due to their unique morphology have succeeded in parasitizing eggs of a number of spider families. Though a number of reports confirm spiders as the host of Baeus sp. But, identification of host species of this group of wasp still remains lacking. The present paper reports the incidence of egg parasitism in Argiopepulchella Thorell, 1881 by Baeus sp. for the first time from India.