Apionidae of the Francesco Vitale collection\\(Insecta: Coleoptera)

Abstract

The Francesco Vitale Sicilian collection of Apionidae is critically revised. \textit{Hoplopodapion poupillieri} (Wencker, 1864), \textit{Ischnopterapion (Ischnopterapion) aeneomicans nothum} (Desbrochers des Loges, 1897) and \textit{Pseudoprotapion dumeei} (A. Hoffmann, 1957) are recorded for the first time from Sicily and Italy; \textit{Omphalapion laevigatum} (Paykull, 1792) is recorded for the first time from Sicily, whereas the presence on the island of \textit{Aizobius sedi} (Germar, 1818) and \textit{Acentrotypus brunnipes} (Boheman, 1839), until now considered doubtful, is confirmed. All species quoted from Sicily by Vitale are listed and commented. In addition, the previous citation of \textit{Ceratapion (Echinostroma) basicorne} (Illiger, 1807) from Cyprus is attributed to \textit{Ceratapion (Echinostroma) curtii} (Wagner, 1920) and \textit{C. curtii} is recorded for the first time from this country. Brief comments on our current knowledge of the apionid fauna of Sicily are also included.