The jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) of the Maltese Islands

Abstract

A taxonomic account is provided for the jumping plant-lice or psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) of the Maltese Islands. Almost no studies have been carried out locally on psyllids, even though in recent years taxonomic accounts of this insect group has been carried out in a number of countries. The bulk of the material used during this study was collected by the author between January 1994 and March199J. A total of 18 psyllid species were found to occur in the Maltese Islands 14 of which are here recorded for the first time. The new records include Colposcenia aliena, Agonoscena targionii, Diaphorina lycii, Psyllopsis fraxinicola, Acizza uncatoides, Cacopsylla myrthi, C. pyri, Homotoma ficus, Bactericera trigonica, B. crithmi, B. albiventris, Trioza chenopodii, T. urticae and T. kiefferi while Euphyllura olivina, Trioza alacris, T. galii and T. centranthi were previously recorded. A previously recorded psyllid, Cacopsylla mali, is here ref erred to a possible misidentification. For all psyllids occurring in the Maltese Islands information is provided on their general distribution, biology and ecology. Further, three hymenopteran parasites (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae) are recorded for the first time from the Maltese Islands. Their psyllid hosts, never before recorded, include Tamarixia tremblayi and T. pronomus from the psyllid Bactericera crithmi and Tamarixia sp. from Trioza chenopodii. A parasitic mite, Erythraeus sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) / was also found on Bactericera crithmi.\Original drawings and photos of important morphological parts of the above psyllids are included~ Two dichotomous keys for the identification of both adults and 5rh instar psyllid larvae are provided. In these keys additional psyllid species that may possibly occur in the Maltese Islands are also included. The reasons for including these psyllids are that their particular host plant/s occur in the Maltese Islands and that they have been found in neighbouring territories. Final remarks are provided on zoogeographical aspects of the Maltese psyllid fauna. All psyllid species found in Malta are also found in the nearby island of Sicily. The lack of certain typically Mediterranean psyllid groups is often linked with the almost complete absence of their host plant/s in the Maltese Islands.