In the present study 25 aphid species which are known to be
associated with trees in the Maltese Islands are recorded. Of these, 18 species
represent new records; these include Aphis craccivora, Brachyunguis tamaricis,
Cavariella aegopodii, Chaitophorus capreae, C. populialbae, Cinara cupressi,
C. maghrebica, C. palaestinensis, Essigella californica, Eulachnus rileyi, E.
tuberculostemmatus, Hoplocallis picta, Lachnus roboris, Myzocallis schreiberi,
Tetraneura nigriabdominalis, Thelaxes suberi, Tinocallis takachihoensis and
Tuberolachnus salignus. A number of the above mentioned species alternate hosts
between the primary host, being the tree species, and secondary hosts being mainly
roots of grasses. The record of Tetraneura ulmi could be incorrect and could possibly
be referred to T. nigriabdominalis. Most of the aphid species recorded in the present
study have restricted distribution in the Maltese Islands due to the rarity of their host
trees. This is particularly so for those aphids associated with Populus, Quercus, Salix
and Ulmus whose conservation should be addressed.peer-reviewe
