No abstract

In this paper some helicoid species from eastern Algeria are investigated using a morphological and molecular approach. The investigation of the genital organs of M. massylaea (Morelet, 1851), the type species of the genus Massylaea Möllendorff, 1898, showed the same autapomorphic character states as are considered typical for Eobania P. Hesse, 1913. These findings are fully supported by the genetic analysis using two mitochondrial and three nuclear markers. Thus, the latter genus has to be considered a synonym of the former. Currently, three species are known to comprise the genus, viz. M. massylaea, M. constantina (E. Forbes, 1838), and M. vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774). Several nominal taxa from northern Africa are synonymised with one of the species mentioned here under Massylaea. The generic position of the so-called “Massylaea” species from the High Atlas Mountains in southern Morocco remains unresolved.

Beans and peas are very important legumes because of their importance in human food and their high protein contents, as well as their role in the supply of atmospheric nitrogen to the soil. However, these crops are subject to various pest outbreaks, reducing their yield. The purpose of this study is to carry out an exhaustive inventory of aphids present on bean (Faba bean and Seville variety) and pea crops (Merveille De Kelvedone and Utrillo variety) in the region of Naciria (Boumerdes), in order to evaluate the diversity and abundance of aphids present in these crops. Sampling of aphid populations has been done using two trapping techniques: Barber pitfall trap and yellow traps. The results obtained express a richness of 48 aphid species, with one Melanaphis sacchari species identified for the first time in Algeria. 28 species are inventoried in the pea crop of Utrillo variety, 27 species on the Merveille de Kelvedone variety, 21 species in the bean crop of Seville variety (Vicia faba major) and 20 species on the faba bean (Vicia faba minor).

Armiger crista (Linnaeus, 1758), a holartic freshwater gastropod, has been rediscovered inAlgeria. It was found in a small lake whose malacofauna was almost exclusively paleartic/ho-lartic. This aquatic environment is probably unique in the Maghreb, where cold-climate faunal elements are rapidly disappearing due to global warming. Monitoring of the site and study ofother groups is highly recommended.

Acanthoscelides obtectus Say, a principal pest of kidney beans Phaseolus vulgaris L. in the Mediterranean area, is a multivoltine and oligophagous bruchid that damages not only host plant (kidney bean) but also other Leguminosae species. Essential oils of Rutaceae: Citrus reticulata L. and Citrus limonum L. and of Lamiaceae Mentha piperita L. and Lavandula angustifolia L. were evaluated by fumigation upon A. obtectus adults using concentrations of 13.33, 40, 80 and 106.66 µl/L air. Their vapours have a toxic increasing effect depending upon concentrations and time exposure. Lamiaceae essential oils exhibited the higher fumigant activity inducing mortality of about 37.5 to 100% and 45.25 to 95% for, respectively lavender and peppermint essential oils after 24 h only. Mortality percentages of 85 and 72.5%, respectively for C. limonum and C. reticulata were recorded after exposure time of 96 h at the highest dose. Repellency activity studied at 0.105, 0.315, 0.631 and 0.842 µl/cm 2 concentrations showed a higher repellency percentage of 71.25% for peppermint essential oil on A. obtectus adults. Our results suggest that Lamiaceae essential oils more than Rutaceae ones may be useful as a seed protecting tool with fumigation effects against A. obtectus and could replace synthetic insecticides which are harmful to the environment.