List of scale insects (Hem.: Coccoidea) of northwest of Iran and their biogeographical situation
Subject Areas :
Keywords: fauna, Distribution, Scale insects, Coccoidea, North West of Iran,
Abstract :
Between 2007 and 2009, the Scale Insect fauna (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of the northwest of Iran (Ardabil, Azarbaijan-e Sharghi, Azerbaijan-e Gharbi, Kurdistan and Zanjan provinces) was studied. As a result, 56 species belonging to 34 genera out of 7 families (Asterolecaniidae, Coccidae, Diaspididae, Eriococcidae, Margarodidae, Ortheziidae and Pseudococcidae) were identified. A list of species with the localities, collecting date and their host plants is provided. The species Contigaspis kochiae Borchsenius (Hem.: Diaspididae) from Azarbaijan-e Sharghi, Jolfa and Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana) (Hem.: Pseudococcidae) from Azarbaijan-e Sharghi, Tabriz are reported for the first time from this region. Furthermore, biogeography of the material examined from northwest of Iran reveal assorted characteristics of the Irano-Turanian elements whilst they show high similarity to the Mediterranean subregion.