Les Cynipidae des chênes (Hymenoptera) collectés dans la chaîne montagneuse de Khmir (Tunisie) et mise à jour des connaissances sur les Cynipini tunisiens

Dans la présente étude réalisée dans le massif forestier de Khmir (aussi connu sous le nom de Kroumirie), on note les espèces gallicoles Cynipidae récoltées sur Quercus suber, Q. faginea et Q. coccifera. Au total, 20 espèces ont été trouvées dont huit sont citées pour la première fois de Tunisie : Andricus burgundus, A. curvator, A. quercusradicis, Cynips disticha, C. quercus, Neuroterus anthracinus, Plagiotrochus coriaceus et P. gallaeramulorum. La liste complète des Cynipini présents en Tunisie comprend 24 espèces. La mise à jour des connaissances sur ce groupe d'hyménoptères associés au genre sur Quercus a révélé que la présence d'Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843) citée depuis longtemps par les auteurs reste à discuter.En aquest estudi en el bosc de Khmir (també conegut pel Kroumirie), s'esmenten les espècies de cinípids cecidògens col·lectats en Quercus suber, Q. faginea i Q. coccifera. Un total de 20 espècies han estat trobades, vuit dels quals són esmentades per primera vegada a Tunísia: Andricus burgundus, A. curvator, A. quercusradicis, Cynips disticha, C. quercus, Neuroterus anthracinus, Plagiotrochus coriaceus i P. gallaeramulorum. La llista completa dels Cynipini presents a Tunísia contempla 24 espècies. La posada al dia del coneixement actualitzat d'aquest grup d'himenòpters sobre Quercus revela que la presència d'Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843), espècie esmentada des d'antic, necessita ser revisad

Distribution and Hosts of Monochamus galloprovincialis in Tunisia

The pine sawyer beetle Monochamus galloprovincialis is one of the main vectors of the pathogenic pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of pine wilt disease. Although the nematode is absent from northern Africa, the vector M. galloprovincialis has been previously reported in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Despite these ancient reports, the insect´s distribution, hosts and biology are largely unknown for this part of the world. In this paper, we report on the presence of M. galloprovincialis in Tunisia, and record several new locations and the associated pine hosts, with brief notes on its emergence pattern. M. galloprovincialis was found to be widely distributed in Tunisia, being especially abundant on Aleppo and maritime pine forests. Insect was found to have a one-year life cycle, with the emergence pattern starting in the middle of May and prolonging until August, with a peak in June. This information will serve to develop a map intended to predict the risk of establishment and incidence of the pine wood nematode in Tunisia

First Report of three Tortricidae species on Quercus suber Forest in Northwestern Tunisia

The Tunisian fauna of Tortricidae has been poorly investigated despite the great economic importance of this family. Sampling of Tortricidae insects was carried out in spring and summer 2010 in two cork oak (Quercus suber) forestsin northwestern Tunisia. Three species are reported for the first time: Archips xylosteana, Pammene splendidulana, Pammene giganteana. Their identification was achieved using DNA barcodes

Confirmation of Deudorix livia identification on Acacia farnesiana and its first report in Southern Tunisia. Mkaouar, R., Hausmann, A., and Ben Jamâa M.L. (Tunisia / Germany)

In 2012, Deudorix livia was responsible for severe losses in production of pomegranate trees in the regions of Gafsa and Gabes situated in Southern of Tunisia. D. livia was observed on some pods of Acacia farnesiana planted as windbreak around these orchards. Larvae of D. livia were observed drilling fruits to eat seeds. At present, the life cycle of D. livia is poorly studied. We confirmed its identification using molecular tools and reported for the first time its occurrence in Southern of Tunisia

First Report of the Winter Moth Operophtera brumata on Quercus canariensis and Q. afares in North West of Tunisia

Operophtera brumata is a newly detected moth in Tunisia. It is considered the most important leaffeeding pest infesting fruit trees and deciduous forests in northern Europe. A recent outbreak of the winter moths was observed between 2009 and 2014 in oak forest in the North West of Tunisia with a peak density in 2010-2011. O. brumata was observed on totally defoliated Quercus canariensis and Q. afares. In this paper, we present a first report of this pest

First Report of Erannis defoliaria on Quercus sp. in North West of Tunisia

Erannis defoliaria, a spring-feeding moth, caused severe defoliation during springs 2009 and 2010. Larvae were collected from Quercus suber in northwestern forest of Tunisia: Bellif and Ain El Baya. Caterpillars of E. defoliaria were also observed feeding on Q. canariensis, Q. afares and other shrub species such as Pistacia lentiscus, Erica arborea, and E. multiflora. In this paper, we present a first report of this pest in Tunisia

Potosia opaca, an Insect Newly Found on Canary Palm (Phoenix canariensis) in Tunisia

Ornamental palm tree Phoenix canariensis has been introduced in Tunisia at late 1800's and becomes a symbol of the city landscape in different localities. P. canariensis was seriously attacked since 2011 by the red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. Recently a new pest Potosia opaca was detected in North of Tunisia on living P. canariensis trees solely or associated with RPW. P.opaca develops one generation per a year; adult mating takes place in June-July and females lay in humus inside decayed trunks of living palms tree. Larva lives in most accumulations of organic matter inside trunks between fibers and sheaths into close proximity with live wood. The pupa stage lasts on average 50 days. P.opaca lives on living trees and seems not to be associated with tree mortality. However it is essential to consider a number of indirect damage as this insect is likely becoming a vector of many pathogens

First Report of Anacampsis scintillella on Halimium halimifolium in Sejnane (Bizerte, Tunisia)

At the beginning of April 2010, larvae of Orgyia trigotephras and Anacampsis scintillella caused severe plant defoliation in the region of Sejnane situated in the north of Tunisia. A. scintillella was observed on totally defoliated Halimium halimifolium plants. Larvae and pupae of A. scintillela were protected between two or three leaves of the host plant. Life history of A. scintillella is poorly studied, so far. In this paper, we presented a first report of this pest in Tunisia

Ophiostomatoid Fungi Associated with the Ambrosia Beetle Platypus cylindrus in Cork Oak Forests in Tunisia

Cork oak (Quercus suber) is a unique species of the Western Mediterranean region and over the last decades it has been threatened by several pests and diseases. Amongst the main dangerous pests, the ambrosia beetle Platypus cylindrus (the oak pinhole borer) has a key role on the process of cork oak decline namely in Portugal, Morocco, and Algeria. However, in Tunisia, where cork oak forests cover around 90.000 ha of the territory, this insect continues to have a secondary pest status. As all ambrosia insects, P. cylindrus is able to establish symbiotic relationships with fungi and it is known as the vector of ophiostomatoid fungi, a group including primary tree pathogens. The aim of this study was to identify these beetle-associated fungi in Tunisian forests and to understand the contribution of this association in cork oak decline by comparing with the results from other countries. The present study was conducted in 2012 in ten cork oak forests in the western-north of Tunisia and focused on ophiostomatoid fungi associated with the cork oak pinhole borer. Twenty four isolates were grouped based on morphological identification, and five representative isolates were included in phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data of ITS and β-tubulin loci. The fungi were assigned to five species namely Raffaelea montetyi, R. canadensis, Ophiostoma sp., O. tsotsi and O. quercus, some of them were already reported in Portugal and Algeria to be associated with cork oak decline. All these species were identified and reported for the first time in Tunisia to be associated with P. cylindrus in cork oak trees and their role in the cork oak loss of vitality needs to be investigated

Les Cynipidae des chênes (Hymenoptera) collectés dans la chaîne montagneuse de Khmir (Tunisie) et mise à jour des connaissances sur les Cynipini tunisiens

Dans la présente étude réalisée dans le massif forestier de Khmir (aussi connu sous le nom de Kroumirie), on note les espèces gallicoles Cynipidae récoltées sur Quercus suber, Q. faginea et Q. coccifera. Au total, 20 espèces ont été trouvées dont huit sont citées pour la première fois de Tunisie : Andricus burgundus, A. curvator, A. quercusradicis, Cynips disticha, C. quercus, Neuroterus anthracinus, Plagiotrochus coriaceus et P. gallaeramulorum. La liste complète des Cynipini présents en Tunisie comprend 24 espèces. La mise à jour des connaissances sur ce groupe d'hyménoptères associés au genre sur Quercus a révélé que la présence d'Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843) citée depuis longtemps par les auteurs reste à discuter.En aquest estudi en el bosc de Khmir (també conegut pel Kroumirie), s'esmenten les espècies de cinípids cecidògens col·lectats en Quercus suber, Q. faginea i Q. coccifera. Un total de 20 espècies han estat trobades, vuit dels quals són esmentades per primera vegada a Tunísia: Andricus burgundus, A. curvator, A. quercusradicis, Cynips disticha, C. quercus, Neuroterus anthracinus, Plagiotrochus coriaceus i P. gallaeramulorum. La llista completa dels Cynipini presents a Tunísia contempla 24 espècies. La posada al dia del coneixement actualitzat d'aquest grup d'himenòpters sobre Quercus revela que la presència d'Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843), espècie esmentada des d'antic, necessita ser revisad