Biogeography of the Cinara cupressi complex (Hemiptera : Aphididae) on Cupressaceae, with description of a pest species introduced into Africa

In recent decades, aphids identified as Cinara cupressi (Buckton) have seri ously damaged commercial and ornamental plantings and native stands of Cupr essus, Juniperus, Widdringtonia and other Cupressaceae in Africa, Italy, Jo rdan, Yemen, Mauritius and Colombia. Aphids currently identified as Cinara cupressi appear to belong to a species complex. This work was undertaken to identify the pest, its Likely area of origin and any specific natural enem ies, to facilitate a biological control programme. The biogeography of the species complex was studied using morphometric analysis of specimens from a ll the major regions where they have been collected, and analysis of host-p lant ranges, parasitoid records and host association information. The cause of tree damage is shown to be an unnamed species, here described as C. (Cu pressobium) cupressivora Watson & Voegtlin sp. n., which probably originate d on Cupressus sempervirens in a region from eastern Greece to just south o f the Caspian Sea. The remainder of the complex, Cinara cupressi sensu late , apparently consists of three morphologically similar species (C. sabinae (Gillette & Palmer) and C. cupressi (Buckton), probably originating in Nort h America, and an unidentified species). There is insufficient data availab le to separate these taxa, or to determine the status of C. canadensis Hott es & Bradley, so C. sabinae and C. canadensis are left in synonymy under C, cupressi (Buckton). Lachniella tujae del Guercio and L. juniperi signata d el Guercio, thought to be part of the C. cupressi complex, were found to be junior synonyms of C. tujafilina (del Guercio); these new synonymies are p roposed and lectotypes of L. tujae and L. juniperi signata are designated.