Psocids from Malta (Insecta: Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’), with new synonymy for Peripsocus stagnivagus based on the discovery of its first Palaearctic male

Abstract

About 2,000 specimens of Psocoptera were collected in Malta recently. Examination of this material revealed 21 new records for the Maltese archipelago, augmenting the known psocid fauna of these islands from 6 to 27 species. One of the most abundant species is Peripsocus stagnivagus Chapman, 1930 (= P. bivari Baz, 1988 = P. leleupi Badonnel, 1976, new synonymies), formerly considered to be a predominantly Nearctic species. The discovery in Malta, of one male of this usually parthenogenetic species enabled comparison of this first Palaearctic male with the well-documented, rare Nearctic male. The lack of any morphological difference between these males, or between females from the Nearctic, the western Palaearctic and several Atlantic islands, supports the proposed synonymies.

New records of Psocoptera (Psocodea: Insecta) in Iran

“…The Psocids fauna of several countries in the world was already overview in the recent years (Yoshizawa & Lienhard 2010, Chin et al 2010, Liu et al 2014, Lienhard & Mifsud 2015. Iranian Psocids fauna is still poorly studied and at the initiation of this study, 15 species of Psocoptera are known from Iran (Nikpay 2016, Aghadokht et al 2015, Gol et al 2015, Khandehroo et al 2014, Jarayani et al 2014, Ahadyat & Zangeneh 2007, Jalalizand et al 2005.…”

“…Psocoptera are found almost everywhere: Under the barks of trees, grasses and palms, in decayed organic matter, in ground litter, under stones, nests of birds and mammals (Broadhead & Richards 1980, 1982, Lienhard & Mifsud 2015 raw material stores, manufacturing factories, and also museum (Chin et al 2010).…”

First report of occurrence of Psocoptera (Trogium) apterum on sugarcane from Iran

“…These insects feed on fungi, algae and lichen, or organic debris. Some of them live in ground litter, under stones, nests of birds and mammals Richards 1980, 1982;Lienhard and Mifsud 2015) and even in large quantities on stored product commodities under moist condition (Nayak et al 2014). Psocids are classified in three suborders, namely Psocomorpha, Trogiomorpha and Troctomorpha (Johnson and Mockford 2003).…”