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New Mediterranean records of Trabutina mannipara (Hemprich & Ehrenberg 1829) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae)
No full textThe occurrence of Trabutina mannipara (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1829) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) is reported for the first time at Linosa (Pelagian Islands, Sicily Channel, Italy) and Libya. T. mannipara was approved by USA authorities for release as biocontrol agents against invasive saltcedars. The potential impact of this species, that in the Mediterranean area showed to be occasionally invasive, is discussed
Rediscovery of Psectrosema tamaricis (De Stefani, 1902) (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) in Italy and redescription of the species
No full textThe gall midge Psectrosema tamaricis (De Stefani, 1902) described under the genus Rhopalomyia Rübsaamen, 1892 was found in Palermo, Sicily, near the type locality more than 100 years after the original description; this species induces galls on Tamarix gallica and T. tetrandra (Tamaricaceae).
Gagné (1996) in the revision of the genus Psectrosema recorded 26 valid species all associated with Tamarix (Tamaricaceae) from the Mediterranean region to Central Asia and as far as China. Observations on biology and information on the species distribution, illustrations and diagnosis for immature stages, adults and galls, useful for redescription, are provided. Adults of P. tamaricis with one segmented palpus, clublike, coalesced last antennal flagellomeres, long pulvilli, empodia narrow, barely wider than pulvilli. Pupae with a short pupal prothoracic spiracle and lack of spines on the abdomen. Psectrosema tamaricis is similar to P. album and P. nigrum; however, P. album has a small lobe on the lower pupal frons and tarsal claws each with small tooth while P. tamaricis does not have a small lobe on the lower pupal frons and the tarsal claws are simple; P. nigrum has a pigmented pupal abdomen, tarsal claws each with small tooth and spatula broadens below the anterior teeth while P. tamaricis does not have a pigmented pupal abdomen the tarsal claws are simple and the spatula does not broaden below the front teeth. The galls consist of a swelling of the terminal parts of the branches, initially green then purplish-brown; frequently the apical portions of the scaly leaves incorporated in the galls protrude on its surface. The larval chamber is large and elongated, and over time the galls take on a woody consistency, leading to desiccation of the terminal part of the twig concerned. The adults emerge from December until mid-April often leaving the exuvia protruding from the emerging hole and the galls remain on the plant for several years after the gall inducer emergence
First record of Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera Pentatomidae) in Sicily. Naturalista Siciliano, 61(2): 139-145
No full textThe occurrence of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855), in Sicily is here recorded for the first time. The species, native of Eastern Asia, has been introduced in North America and Europe, and found in northern Italy in 2012. In Sicily, the insect was detected in two different part of Palermo town, in the neighborhood of the maritime port and near the Botanical Garden. Detection of H. halys in Sicily was expected, due to the high spread rate shown in the different areas in which it was introduced
Naturalization and spread of the alien species Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ernobiinae) in Italy
Full text linkOzognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ernobiinae), species native to North America, is a saproxylophagous species and is known to feed on decaying tissues within conspicuous galls and on vegetal decaying organic material such as dried fruits or small wood shavings and insect excrements in galleries made by other woodboring species. A few years after the first record in 2011, its naturalization in Italy is here reported. The insect was found as successor in galls of Psectrosema tamaricis (Diptera Cecidomyiidae), Plagiotrochus gallaeramulorum, Andricus multiplicatus and Synophrus politus (Hymenoptera Cynipidae). The galls seem to have played an important ecological role in speeding up the naturalization process. The lowest proportion of galls used by O. cornutus was recorded for P. tamaricis (23%), the only host belonging to Cecidomyiidae, while the percentages recorded for the other host species, all Cynipidae forming galls on oaks, were higher: 43.6%, 61.1% and 76.9% in A multiplicatus, S. politus and P. gallaeramulorum, respectively. Although O. cornutus is able to exploit other substrates like dried fruits and vegetables, for which it could represent a potential pest, it prefers to live as a successor in woody and conspicuous galls, which thus can represent a sort of natural barrier limiting the possible damages to other substrates
An exceptional outbreak of Macroscytus brunneus (Fabricius, 1803) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae) on Linosa island (Pelagian Islands, Sicily)
Full text linkAn exceptional outbreak of the burrowing bug Macroscytus brunneus occurred in summer 2017 on Linosa island (Pelagian Islands, Sicily). Huge numbers of specimens, attracted to the lights of the small village, interfered heavily with human activities for almost three months. The few precedent cases reported in literature are reviewed
Presenza di Parapristina vertici/lata (Waterst.) e Odontofroggatia galili Wiebes (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea Agaonidae) in Sicilia
No full textTwo species of Agaonids: Parapristina verticillata (Waterst.) e Odontofroggatia galili Wiebes bave been found in Sicily living into receptacles of Ficus microcarpa L. (=benjamina auct.). The calcidoids are considered imported and acclimatated and will be added to the fig wasps fauna know from Europe
Importance of millipedes (Diplopoda) in the autumn-winter diet of Scolopax rusticola
Full text linkAuthors examined the autumn-winter diet of the woodcock Scolopax rusticola from 407 gizzard samples originating from Crimea and Italy, resulting in a high number of millipedes (Diplopoda) in all the samples; this prey item was particularly important in terms of weight percentage. The authors consider that calcium, highly present in millipedes, should be an important source for the woodcocks’ metabolism during the autumn-winter seasons
Chesias plumbeata Staudinger, 1901 (Geometridae Larentiinae Chesiadini) new species for the European fauna discovered on the island of Pantelleria (Italy, Sicily).
Full text linkChesias plumbeata Staudinger, 1901 is recorded for the first time from Europe based on some adults collected in the island of Pantelleria (Strait of Sicily, Italy), near Bagno dell’Acqua lake. The species was previously known from North Africa. Identification was confirmed by using morphological and molecular taxonomic characters. Male genitalia of C. plumbeata are here described for the first time. Biological information and illustrations useful for the moth identification are provided. The finding of this species shows that the inventorying of the lepidoptera fauna of Pantelleria, from where 152 species have so far been recorded, is still far away from completion and needs further efforts
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