The scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of the Maltese Archipelago

Past works on scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from the Maltese Archipelago are reviewed. Based on the literature and contemporary collections, a total of 93 species of scale insects belonging to 12 scale insect families are here reported (Aclerdidae 1 species; Asterolecaniidae 4; Coccidae 17; Diaspididae 46; Eriococcidae 5; Kermesidae 1; Margarodidae 1; Micrococcidae 1; Monophlebidae 2; Pseudoccocidae 11; Putoidae 2 and Rhizoecidae 2). Of these, 17 species represent new distribution records. Ten species are excluded from the scale insect fauna of the Maltese Islands. Of the 93 species present, only 29 (31.18%) are probably indigenous and the rest (68.82%) represent established introductions from elsewhere. More than 65% of the indigenous species are typical Mediterranean in distribution, with a few species having a mainly European chorotype. A quarter of the established aliens originate from Eurasia, followed by an East Asian/ Oriental component (20.31%); European (14.06%); Neotropical (14.06%); cryptogenic (14.06%); African (7.81%) and Australasian (4.70%). Movement of live fruit trees and ornamental plants into the Maltese Archipelago from nearby countries is probably the main route for entry of alien scale insects into the country. Some possible future introductions are discussed.peer-reviewe

Bumblebees in natural and agro-ecosystems at different altitudes from Mount Etna, Sicily (Hymenoptera Apidae Bombinae): long-term faunistic and ecological observations.

The results of a ten-years study on bumblebee species of Mount Etna in eastern Sicily are given. The observations were carried out in natural and anthropized ecosystems at different altitudes in the Mediterranean Basal plan (0-1450 m a.s.l.) and Mountain-Mediterranean plan (1450-2100 m a.s.l.). Twelve species belonging to Bombus (2 spp.), Melanobombus (1 sp.), Megabombus (2 spp.), Thoracobombus (3 spp.) and Psithyrus (4 spp.) subgenera are recorded. In the Mountain-Mediterranean plan, rich in endemic plants from Etna and Sicily, 11 species have been recorded on plants characterised by the highest honey potential like Astragalus, Rubus, and Senecio. The most abundant species in this level are B. lapidarius decipiens and B. lucorum lucorum. In the Mediterranean Basal plan 12 species have been recorded. Among them, Bombus terrestris terrestris is always present, and B. terrestris calabricus has been recorded only at 1900 m a.s.l.  Data are given on surveyed bumblebee species and subspecies, their presence in Italy, the spread in Sicily, and the plants on which the bees were observed. These data are placed in relation to the altitudinal levels and the ecological quality of the areas where the specimens were found

A new Paracoccus species from Palaearctic region (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae)

A new mealybug species, Paracoccus leucadendri sp. nov., is described from Portugal. This is the first record of a Paracoccus species from Europe. It is suggested that its presence in Portugal is the result of a fortuitous introduction with its host plant, Leucadendron sp. (Proteaceae). An identification key is presented to distinguish this new Paracoccus species from other mealybug species reported on Proteaceae in the world

INSECTS AND FUNGI ON THE RELICT ZELKOVA SICULA(ROSALES, ULMACEAE)IN SICILY (ITALY): NEW RECORDS AND KNOWN SPECIES IN A SHORT REVIEW

The Authors report the results of a study conducted with the purpose of increasing the knowledge about theinsects and fungi living on Zelkova siculaDi Pasquale, Garfì & Quézel, 1992 (Rosales, Ulmaceae). The plant is a veryrare relict of the Tertiary period, belonging to a genus of trees extinct in continental Europe. Only two small populationsare known living in a restricted woodland in the province of Syracuse, Sicily. The results concern both the insectspicked up during surveys that were carried out in 2014 and 2015, and the species of fungi and insects already known onZelkova siculafrom literature. As a result of surveys, two species of Buprestidae, two species of Cerambycidae, andtwo of Lepidoptera have been recognized. From literature, seven species of phytophagous insects are reported onZelkova sicula, they belong to Hemiptera: Aphididae (1 sp.), Diaspididae (1 sp.), Coccidae (1 sp.); Coleoptera:Buprestidae (1 sp.), Cerambycidae (2 spp.); and Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae (1 sp.). Five species of fungi are knownfrom literature and they belong to: Botryosphaeriales (3 spp.), Pleosporales (1 sp.), and Diaporthales (1 sp.)

New or little-known bees from Sicily (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

The authors report newly recorded species of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) on the Volcan Etna (Sicily). A total of ten species belonging to three families are recorded: Halictidae (8 species), Megachilidae (1 species), and Apidae (1 species). Pseudapis valga (Gerstaecker), Lasioglossum convexiusculum (Schenck) (Halictidae), Hoplitis laevifrons (Morawitz) (Megachilidae) and Tarsalia ancyliformis Popov (Apidae), are reported for the first time for Sicily and the presence of other bee species is confirmed for the Island. Furthermore, this is the first record of the genus Tarsalia Morawitz for the fauna of Sicily. For each species data are given in relation to the altitudinal level, the plants visited, and the ecological quality of the sites where the specimens were found

The scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of the Maltese Archipelago

Abstract Past works on scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from the Maltese Archipelago are reviewed. Based on the literature and contemporary collections, a total of 93 species of scale insects belonging to 12 scale insect families are here reported (Aclerdidae 1 species; Asterolecaniidae 4; Coccidae 17; Diaspididae 46; Eriococcidae 5; Kermesidae 1; Margarodidae 1; Micrococcidae 1; Monophlebidae 2; Pseudoccocidae 11; Putoidae 2 and Rhizoecidae 2). Of these, 17 species represent new distribution records. Ten species are excluded from the scale insect fauna of the Maltese Islands. Of the 93 species present, only 29 (31.18%) are probably indigenous and the rest (68.82%) represent established introductions from elsewhere. More than 65% of the indigenous species are typical Mediterranean in distribution, with a few species having a mainly European chorotype. A quarter of the established aliens originate from Eurasia, followed by an East Asian/ Oriental component (20.31%); European (14.06%); Neotropical (14.06%); cryptogenic (14.06%); African (7.81%) and Australasian (4.70%). Movement of live fruit trees and ornamental plants into the Maltese Archipelago from nearby countries is probably the main route for entry of alien scale insects into the country. Some possible future introductions are discussed

Observations on midgut of Apis mellifera workers (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) under controlled acute exposures to a Bacillus thuringiensis-based biopesticide

International audienceAbstractMorphostructural investigations have been carried out on Apis mellifera workers treated with single controlled acute exposures to a biopesticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), to detect midgut changes until 96 h. Our findings show concentration-dependence of these changes, reflecting in different degrees on both mortality and behaviour. In particular, some midgut changes are also found 96 h after treatment. Our results show that the tested product does not affect survival at presumable environmental concentrations, so confirming the lesser toxicity of Bt-based biopesticides compared to other pesticides. However, in the light of the discovered long-term changes, we discuss the opportunity of taking into account possible chronic exposures to Bt-based products on A. mellifera

AN UPDATED LIST OF THE SCALE INSECT (HEMIPTERA COCCOMORPHA) FAUNA OF SOME SICILIAN ENDEMIC PLANTS

In this study Authors report scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) species for the first time recorded on some endemic plants of Sicilian flora, namely, Abies nebrodensis Mattei (Pinaceae), Astragalus siculus Biv. (Leguminosae), Betula aetnensis Rafinesque (Betulaceae) and Zelkova sicula Di Pasquale Garfi & Quezel (Ulmaceae).Abies nebrodensis is present in a single small population on Madonie Mountains. On this conifer the fir scale Parlatoria parlatoriae (Šulc) (Diaspididae) was collected. On B. aetnensis, that colonizes the lava substrates of Etna Volcano mainly at 1300–1900 m.a.s.l., a consistent population of an undescribed Diaspidiotus species (currently being described) was collected. Moreover Lepidosaphes ulmi (Linnaeus) (Diaspididae) was detected and collected on A. siculus which is characteristic plant of the upper part of the volcano. Zelkova sicula is a very rare relict of  the Tertiary, belonging to a genus of plants already extinct in Continental Europe; with only two small populations living in restricted woodland areas in south oriental Sicily where two scale insects were collected: Aspidiotus nerii (Costa) (Diaspididae) and Parthenolecanium sp. (Coccidae)

A morphological and molecular characterization of vine mealybug populations (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) from Tunisia

Some vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) populations in Tunisian vineyards have been morphologically and genetically characterized. The morphological examination was based on the main distinctive characteristics of species of Planococcus, namely the number and distribution of the multilocular disc pores and tubular ducts on the adult female. This showed the existence of two different vine mealybug populations in Tunisia. Likewise, in the molecular analyses, two separate clades were revealed in the neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree, supporting the morphological studies and suggesting that there are two distinct populations of P. ficus on grapevine in Tunisia