Aphids on Cultivated Cereals in Tunisia with a New Reported Species Forda formicaria

Abstract

A survey of the aphids associated with cultivated cereal in Tunisia was carried out during 2010 to 2012. Fourteen aphid species were recorded from eight regions (Cap Bon, Bizerte, Beja, Bousalem, Manouba, Zaghouan, Kef and Kairouan). For the first time a new species Forda formicaria was identified. Ten other winged species were also recorded in the suction trap of the Cap Bon region increasing the aphid richness to 24 species. From these aphid species listed, six are numerous and known for their economic importance: namely Diuraphis noxia as phloem feeder and Metopolophium dirhodum, Rhopalosiphum padi, R. maidis, Schizaphis graminum, and Sitobion avenae as virus vectors. Temporal activity of these species was established for 14 years by suction trap and their seasonal activity was discussed.

Keywords

• Aphids
• cereals
• distribution
• diversity
• Forda formicaria
• temporal activity