Mapping the Predicted Geographic Range of The Gall Former Schizomyia botellus (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) under Influence of Climatic Factors in Arid Habitats.

Abstract

In some localities of Sinai, the gall-midge Schizomyia botellus Dorchin & Freidberg, 2011 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) induce elongated galls on the axillary buds of Deverra triradiata Hochst. ex Boiss (Family: Apiaceae). The present work studies the relationship between S. botellus and D. tortuosa. Furthermore, the present study predicted the distribution of S. botellus in Sinai, Egypt by using Maxent modeling, in addition, to studying the influence of elevation and plant cover on its distribution.The predominance of S. botellus occurred from January to April and adults emerge from the gall at the beginning of April after pupation. Endoparasitoids of the genus Inostemma (Platygastridae)occasionally attack the larvae of S. botellus. The distribution of S. botellus in Sinai is affected positively by plant cover and negatively by elevation. The predicted highly suitable habitat of S. botellus is mainly concentrated inside the boundary of the St. Katherine protectorate in south Sinai. The most bioclimatic factors that had an impact on S. botellus' predicted range was the maximum temperature of the warmest month, isothermality, and the amount of precipitation in the coldest quarter. Our findings can help ecologists define sampling regions and create conservation plans for this type of environmental interaction.