Influence of Host Plant Associations on the Composition and Structure of Scale Insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) Communities in Semi-arid Mediterranean-type Forests

Abstract

The Scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) fauna of Algeria in forest environment is little known, as few studies have been conducted in these areas. The various studies conducted on scale insects in Algeria have shown the presence of 207 species to date. Most of these species (106) belong to the family Diaspididae. Coccomorpha species on forest woody species (Cedrus atlantica, Ilex aquifolium, Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea, Olea europaea, Pinus halepensis, Pistacia lentiscus, and Quercus ilex) were collected from various sites in the Belezma National Park (Algeria) during the period 2013−2017. A total of 24 species were identified from six scale insect families: Diaspididae (70.83%), Kermesidae (8.33%), Pseudococcidae (8.33%), Asterolecaniidae (4.17%), Coccidae (4.17%), and Putoidae (4.17%). The species Gomezmenoraspis pinicola (Diaspididae) is recorded for the first time in Africa, and three species, are recorded for the first time in Algeria: Quernaspis lepineyi (Diaspididae), G. pinicola and Planococcus vovae (Pseudococcidae). According to zoogeographical groups, 8 species are endemic, 13 are Mediterranean, and 3 are cosmopolitan.