Nycteribiidae - Bat fly - Penicillidia (Penicillidia) dufourii - Cyprus

See also

Λίστα με τα 19 είδη νυχτερίδων της Κύπρου - List of 19 bats species of Cyprus

Παρασιτική μύγα που ζει σε νυχτερίδες

Nycteribiidae of the true fly superfamily Hippoboscoidea are known as "bat flies", together with their close relatives the Streblidae. As the latter do not seem to be a monophyletic group, it is conceivable to unite all bat flies in a single family.

They are flattened, spiderlike flies without eyes or wings, and are seldom encountered by general collectors, as they almost never leave the bodies of their hosts. Both males and females take blood meals, thus they qualify as real parasites. Most species are highly host-specific. The family is primarily found in the Old World tropics; a few of the 274 known species occur in the Neotropics and in Europe. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Pomos 9/6/2013 by George Konstantinou

Diptera Pupipara from bats of two large eastern Mediterranean islands, Crete and Cyprus

Martin ŠEVČÍK^1,*, Petr BENDA^2,3, Radek Kris LUČAN³

1

Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra,

SK-949 74 Nitra, Slovakia

2

Department of Zoology, National Museum, CZ-115 79 Prague 1, Czech Republic 3

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, CZ-128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic

Received: 15.12.2011              Accepted: 19.09.2012             Published Online: 24.12.2012              Printed: 21.01.2013

Abstract: This paper presents a review of records of bat flies (families Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) from Crete and Cyprus, based on new findings and published data. Seven species representing 4 genera belonging to the family Nycteribiidae and 1 species from the family Streblidae from 5 bat species in Crete are reported, and 7 Nycteribiidae species (4 genera) and 1 Streblidae species from 9 bat species in Cyprus are reported. The bat flies Nycteribia latreillii (Leach, 1817), Basilia mongolensis nudior Hůrka 1972, Penicillidia conspicua Speiser, 1900, P. dufourii Westwood, 1835, and Brachytarsina flavipennis Macquart, 1851 are reported from Crete for the first time, and Phthiridium integrum (Theodor and Moscona, 1954), P. dufourii, and B. flavipennis are reported from Cyprus for the first time. Key words: Nycteribiidae, Streblidae, first records, distribution, hosts

1. Introduction

The family Nycteribiidae Samouelle, 1819 comprises the dipterans parasitising on bats of all zoogeographical regions. According to the checklist by Graciolli and Dick (2008), more than 270 species occur in the world. Seventeen species (5 genera) are known from the western Palaearctic (Theodor, 1967; Hůrka and Soós, 1986a), and 14 species (5 genera) of them occur in the Mediterranean area (Hůrka, 1964; Theodor, 1967).

No detailed information on Nycteribiidae has been available from Crete, except for several records of 3 species reported by Theodor (1967) and Kock (1974, 1989): Nycteribia pedicularia Latreille, 1805 (collected from Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837)), Nycteribia schmidlii Schiner, 1853 (from M. capaccinii and Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817)), and Phthiridium biarticulatum Hermann, 1804 (from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774)). A similar situation holds for the nycteribiid fauna of Cyprus: only scarce data have been available from this island, including records of 5 species, Nycteribia pedicularia (from M. capaccinii), N. schmidlii (from Rhinolophus euryale Blasius, 1853), Phthiridium biarticulatum (from R. euryale), Basilia daganiae Theodor and Moscona, 1954 (from Pipistrellus kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817)), and Penicilidia conspicua Speiser, 1900 (from M. schreibersii) (Bequaert, 1953; Theodor, 1956, 1967; Kock, 1974, 1984, 1989).

* Correspondence: martin.sevcik@hotmail.sk

The family Streblidae Kolenati, 1863 is represented by 4 species of 3 genera in the Mediterranean (Jobling, 1939; Hůrka and Soós, 1986b). Just one species, Brachytarsina flavipennis Macquart, 1851, occurs in Europe (Hůrka, 1972). So far, no record of this species has been available either from Crete or from Cyprus.

2. Materials and methods

In October 2005, July and October 2006, and May and June 2008, bats were collected from Crete and Cyprus in the course of research trips (Benda et al., 2007, 2009). Mist nets were installed according to standard procedures (Kunz and Kurta, 1988) in front of water, and bats were also captured in their roosts (caves, mines). Each captured host was placed into a separate cloth bag and labelled. Hosts were inspected for bat flies, ectoparasites living in the fur of the body, which were collected with entomological tweezers and preserved in 75% ethanol. Samples for a species of host were stored in an Eppendorf tube. The age and sexual status (adult male (♂ ad), adult female (♀ ad), subadult female (♀ sad)) of the host is given for most samples, with the exception of the period of October 2010, when only the number and species of host were registered. All bat flies were observed freely under a magnifying glass, and keys were used for the determination and comparison of parasitic species: Theodor and Moscona (1954), Theodor (1967, 1975), and Hůrka (1972). Voucher specimens of the parasites are deposited in the collection of the first author (cMŠ). The taxa are arranged alphabetically. The information for each species appears in the following format: synonyms available from the respective islands; published data; new material examined (number and developmental stage of specimens, locality, date, number of collection, age/number of host).

3. Results and discussion

In total, 6 species representing 4 genera belonging to the family Nycteribiidae and 1 species of the family Streblidae were collected from Crete, and 4 species of 2 genera of the family Nycteribiidae and 1 species of Streblidae were collected from Cyprus.

3.1. Family Nycteribiidae (Samouelle 1819)

3.1.1. Subfamily Nycteribiinae Samouelle, 1819, sensu Maa 1965

3.1.1.1. Nycteribia (Nycteribia) latreillii (Leach, 1817) Crete. New material examined: 1♂, 1♀, Lefkogeia, at Venetian bridge ca. 3 km E of Kato Preveli Monastery, 30 May 2008 (cMŠ 3962-3963, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♀♀ ad Myotis blythii.

Remarks: Until Theodor (1954a), the species was reported in Europe under various names, as the proper name was erroneously used for N. kolenati Theodor and Moscona, 1954. The distribution of N. latreillii corresponds to the ranges of its primary host species, Myotis myotis (Borkhausen, 1797), M. blythii (Tomes, 1857), and M. punicus Felten, 1977, i.e. almost all of continental Europe (northern limit of 51°N–52°N), the Maghreb, the Middle East, and Central Asia (Hůrka, 1964; Theodor, 1967). In addition, it can also occur on other species of the genus Myotis Kaup, 1829, Miniopterus Bonaparte, 1837, and Rhinolophus Lacépède, 1799, as well as on other cavedwelling bats (see Theodor, 1967). Our findings represent the first evidence of this species from Crete. Although we did not find this bat fly in Cyprus, its occurrence is to be expected due the presence of one of the principal host species, M. blythii (Benda et al., 2007).

3.1.1.2. Nycteribia (Nycteribia) pedicularia Latreille, 1805 Crete. Published records: Kock (1974): Piskokefalo at Sitia (host Myotis capaccinii).

Cyprus. Published records: Kock (1974): Kyrenia (host Myotis capaccinii).

Remarks: Nycteribia pedicularia has frequently been confused with N. latreillii and/or N. kolenati Theodor and Moscona, 1954. N. pedicularia is distributed in south-eastern Europe, and the northern limit of its range probably reaches the Alps and southern Carpathians (Hůrka, 1962). In the broader scale of the western Palaearctic, its distribution range encompasses Turkey, Palestine, Iran, Tunisia, and Algeria (Theodor and Moscona, 1954; Theodor, 1967). However, the record from Cyprus is doubtful, as the occurrence of the host species as well as the record itself is in doubt (see Benda et al., 2007). Host species of this bat fly are cave-dwelling bats of the genera Myotis, Miniopterus, and Rhinolophus (Theodor and Moscona, 1954).

3.1.1.3. Nycteribia (Listropoda) s. schmidlii Schiner, 1853

Crete. Published records: Theodor (1967): Limnea (host Miniopterus schreibersii). - Kock (1974): Canea = Chaniá (host Miniopterus schreibersii), Piskokefalo bei Sitia (host Myotis capaccinii).

New material examined: 2♂♂, 1♀, Dramia, Petres river bridge, 6 October 2006 (cMŠ 3400, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 1♀ ad Myotis capaccinii; 5♂♂, 9♀♀, Argyroupoli, Mouselas river, 3 June 2008 (cMŠ 3973-3974, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♀♀ ad Myotis capaccinii; 3♂♂, 3♀♀, Omalos Plateau, Tzani cave, 1 October 2006 (cMŠ 3360-3375, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from collection 13♂♂ ad and 2♀♀ sad Miniopterus schreibersii.

Cyprus. Published records: Theodor (1967): site

unspecified (host Rhinolophus euryale).

Remarks: The distribution of the western subspecies N. s. schmidlii corresponds to the distributional range of its principal host bat, Miniopterus schreibersii, viz. central and southern Europe, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and North Africa.

3.1.1.4. Phthiridium biarticulatum Hermann, 1804 Synonym: Stylidia biarticulata Hermann, 1804: Theodor (1967: 127).

Crete. Published records: Theodor (1967): Gonia = Mount Gonias (host Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). - Kock (1989): Rethimnon (host Rhinolophus ferrumequinum).

New material examined: 1♂, Kolymvari, mine above village, 9 October 2006 (cMŠ 3426, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 1♂ ad Rhinolophus ferrumequinum; 2♀♀, Omalos Plateau, Tzani cave, 1 October 2006 (cMŠ 3377-3378, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♂♂ ad Rhinolophus ferrumequinum.

Cyprus. Published records: Theodor (1967): site

undefined (host Rhinolophus euryale).

New material examined: 1♀, Kakopetria, Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 5 km to SW, upper gallery, 13 October 2005 (cMŠ c07, leg. R.K. Lučan) from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum individual of unknown sex and age; 1♂, Afendrika, ruins of Panagia Chrysiotissa church and Asomatos church, 17 October 2005 (cMŠ c02, leg. R.K. Lučan) from 1♂ ad Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774); 3♂♂, 6♀♀, Kakopetria, Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 5 km to SW, upper gallery, 27 July 2006

(cMŠ 3335, 3336, leg. P. Benda) from 1♀ ad and 1♀ sad Rhinolophus blasii (Peters, 1866).

Remarks: This cave-dwelling bat fly lives on representatives of the genus Rhinolophus. Its distribution range is circum-Mediterranean and reaches Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (Hůrka, 1964). While Rhinolophus ferrumequinum is the most frequent host of this bat fly (Hůrka, 1964), other (mostly cave-dwelling) bats, e.g., Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis myotis and M. blythii, are less-parasitised hosts (Hůrka, 1964).

3.1.1.5. Phthiridium integrum (Theodor and Moscona, 1954)

Cyprus. New material examined: 3♀♀, Kantara, Kantara castle ruins 3 km to NE, 25 July 2006 (cMŠ 3328, leg. P. Benda) from 1♂ ad Eptesicus anatolicus.

Remarks: This species was described by Speiser (1901) and redescribed by Karaman (1939) based on a record from Egypt. Findings are known from host species of the genera Taphozous Geoffroy, 1818, Rhinolophus and Hipposideros Gray, 1831 from the Middle East: Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen (Sanborn and Hoogstraal, 1953; Theodor and Moscona, 1954; Theodor, 1976; Kock and Nader, 1979; Amr and Qumsiyeh, 1993). This species is reported here for the first time from Cyprus and from a new host, Eptesicus anatolicus Felten, 1971.

3.1.1.6. Basilia (Basilia) daganiae Theodor and Moscona, 1954

Cyprus. Published records: Bequaert (1953): Limassol (host Pipistrellus kuhlii). - Theodor (1956): Limassol, (host Pipistrellus kuhlii), site undefined, leg. Lilford (without host). - Theodor (1967): site undefined, leg. Lilford (host Pipistrellus kuhlii). - Kock (1974): Larnaka (host Pipistrellus kuhlii).

Remarks: The distribution range of this species from the “bathybothyra group” covers the whole eastern Mediterranean: Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Palestine (Theodor and Moscona, 1954; Lewis and Harrison, 1962; Hůrka and Soós, 1986a; Benda et al., 2010). Its occurrence outside the eastern Mediterranean region is not excluded, considering the much broader distribution of its main host Pipistrellus kuhlii. B. daganiae has also been recorded from other species of the genus Pipistrellus: P. pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) from Jordan (Benda et al., 2010).

3.1.1.7. Basilia (Basilia) mongolensis nudior Hůrka, 1972 Crete. New material examined: 2♀♀, Meskla, above creek, 5 October 2006 (cMŠ 3393, leg. P. Benda and V.

Hanák) from 1♂ ad Myotis aurascens; 1♂, 1♀, Katholiko monastery, Agiou Ioanni cave, 27 May 2008 (cMŠ 3958, leg. P. Benda) from 1♀ ad Myotis aurascens.

Remarks: This subspecies from the “bathybothyra group” was described by Hůrka (1972) from the host Plecotus austriacus Fischer, 1829. The full expansion of this subspecies is unknown, and we expect it to be in the same area distribution as the host Myotis nattereri (Kuhl, 1817). Its occurrence on other arboreal host species is not excluded, but it occurs mostly in the “mystacinus group”, viz. M. alcathoe von Helversen and Heller, 2001 (Heddergott, 2009), and in our records from M. aurascens Kusjakin, 1935. Previous records are from Croatia, Greece (Hůrka, 1972), Bulgaria (Hůrka, 1984), Austria (Kock, 1984), Turkey (Aktaş and Hasbenli, 1994; Hasbenli, 1997), and Germany (Heddergott, 2009).

3.1.1.8. Penicillidia (Neopenicillidia) conspicua Speiser, 1901

Crete. New material examined: 3♂♂, 3♀♀, Omalos Plateau, Tzani cave, 1 October 2006 (cMŠ 3360-3375, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from collection 13♂♂ ad and 2♀♀ sad Miniopterus schreibersii; 2♀♀, Milatos, Milatou cave, 7 October 2006 (cMŠ 3422-3425, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from collection 1♀ ad and 3♀♀ sad Miniopterus schreibersii.

Cyprus. Published records: Kock (1989): Emba, Paphos Distr. (host Miniopterus schreibersii).

New material examined: 1♂, 1♀, Neo Horio, Smigies Trail, ca. 3 km to NW, abandoned chromite mine system ‘Magnesia Mine’, 12 October 2005 (cMŠ c03, c04, leg. R.K. Lučan) from 2 Miniopterus schreibersii individuals of unknown sex and age.

Remarks: Penicillidia conspicua is a species bound to its principal host, Miniopterus schreibersii, and its distribution range corresponds to the occurrence of this bat (Hůrka, 1964). Within this range, it has frequently been found also on Myotis myotis and other cave-dwelling bat species (Hůrka, 1964). This parasite species is reported from Crete for the first time here.

3.1.1.9. Penicillidia (Penicillidia) dufourii Westwood, 1835 Crete. New material examined: 2♂♂, 3♀♀, Lefkogeia, at Venetian bridge ca. 3 km E of Kato Preveli Monastery, 30 May 2008 (cMŠ 3962-3963, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♀♀ ad Myotis blythii; 1♂, 1♀, Dramia, Petres river bridge, 6 October 2006 (cMŠ 3400, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 1♀ ad Myotis capaccinii; 2♂♂, 2♀♀, Argyroupoli, Mouselas river, 3 June 2008 (cMŠ 39733974, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♀♀ ad Myotis capaccinii.

Cyprus. New material examined: 2♀♀, Kakopetria, Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 4 km to SW, lower gallery, 15 October 2005 (cMŠ c05, leg. R.K. Lučan) from 1♂ ad Myotis blythii; 1♂, Kakopetria, Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 5 km to SW, upper gallery, 13 October 2005 (cMŠ c06, leg. R.K. Lučan) from Myotis nattereri individual of unknown sex and age.

Remarks: The subspecies P. d. dufourii is distributed over continental Europe, North Africa, and south-western Asia to the western Himalayas and eastern Kazakhstan. Myotis myotis and M. blythii are the main hosts of this species, but it can also be found on Miniopterus schreibersii, though much more rarely. This parasite species is recorded here for the first time from Crete and Cyprus.

3.2. Family Streblidae Kolenati, 1863

3.2.1. Subfamily Brachytarsininae (Speiser, 1900)

3.2.1.1. Brachytarsina (Brachytarsina) flavipennis Macquart, 1851

Crete. New material examined: 1♂, Patsos, Agiou Antoniou cave, 3 October 2006 (cMŠ 3388, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 1♀ sad Rhinolophus ferrumequinum; 2♀♀, Katholiko monastery, Agiou Ioanni cave, 27 May 2008 (cMŠ 3958, leg. P. Benda) from 1♀ ad Myotis aurascens.

Cyprus. New material examined: 1♀, Kakopetria, Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 5 km to SW, upper gallery, 13 October 2005 (cMŠ 08, leg. R.K. Lučan) from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum individual of unknown sex and age; 1♂, 2♀♀, Kakopetria, Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 5 km to SW, upper gallery, 27 July 2006 (cMŠ 3336, leg. P. Benda) from 1♀ sad Rhinolophus blasii.

Remarks: B. flavipennis is the only streblid species occurring in the Mediterranean portion of the Palaearctic. This species has a circum-Mediterranean distribution range, and in Europe it reaches the latitude of 40°N–43° N, roughly corresponding to the areas of mean January temperatures of 8 to 10 °C (Jobling, 1951; Hůrka, 1972).

Jobling (1934, 1939) indicated the occurrence of this species in Cyprus and Theodor’s record (1954b) is uncertain, since a direct finding has not been reported. This bat fly is recorded here from both large islands for the first time.

In conclusion, the combination of our new data with previously published information has resulted in an increase in the total number of species of the Nycteribiidae family on Crete from 3 to 7 species, and from 5 to 7 species on Cyprus. In addition to the above discussion, we may expect other species from this family (genera Nycteribia Latreille, 1796, Basilia Miranda-Ribeiro, 1903, and Eucampsipoda Kolenati, 1857) on the individual islands. Nycteribia (Acrocholidia) vexata Westwood, 1835 is a species with a relation to the extension of the principal hosts Myotis myotis and M. blythii (as N. latreilii), whereas the second host was confirmed on the island of Crete (Benda et al., 2008). The principal host of Basilia nana Theodor, 1954, in Middle Eastern countries is M. nattereri (Turkey - Aktaş and Hasbenli, 1994; Hasbenli, 1997; Jordan - Amr and Qumsiyeh, 1993; Benda et al., 2010), and on this basis we can expect this parasitic species to confirm this host from Cyprus (Benda et al., 2007). In addition, on the same island there probably occurs the parasitic species of the host Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy, 1810), viz. Eucampsipoda aegyptia (Macquart, 1851). The occurrence of this species on island has already been considered by Theodor (1952, 1954a, 1955; see also Kock and Nader, 1979). This host species has been confirmed on Cyprus by several authors (summary in Benda et al., 2011).

The fauna of Streblidae is represented by a single species, which was confirmed for the first time on both islands.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Czech Science Foundation (#206/09/0888), the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (#DKRVO 00023272), and the University Grant Agency of the Constantine of Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia (VII/36/2011).

Appendix Appendix I. Gazetteer.

Only the originally recorded sites are mentioned.

Crete. Prefecture of Chania: Argyroupoli [Αργυρούπολη], Mouselas river, old building, 35°19′N, 24°20′E, 105 m a.

s. l.; - Katholiko Monastery [Μονή Καθολικού], Agiou Ioanni cave, 35°35′N, 24°09′E, 80 m a. s. l.; - Kolymvari [Κολυμβάρι], mine, 35°33′N, 23°46′E, 44 m a. s. l.; - Meskla [Μεσκλά], creek, 35°24′N, 23°57′E, 206 m a. s. l.; - Omalos Plateau [Οροπέδιο Ομαλού], Tzani cave, 35°21′N, 23°54′E, 1025 m a. s. l.; Prefecture of Rethymno: Dramia [Δράμια], Petre river bridge, 35°21′N, 24°21′E, 2 m a. s. l. - Lefkogeia [Λευκόγεια], Venetian bridge ca. 3 km E of Kato Preveli Monastery, 35°10′N, 24°28′E, 45 m a. s. l.; - Patsos [Πατσός], Agiou Antoniou cave, 35°15′N, 24°34′E, 200 m a. s. l.; Prefecture of Lasithi: Milatos [Μίλατος], Milatou cave, 35°18′N, 25°35′E, 129 m a. s. l.

Cyprus. Northern Cyprus: Afendrika (= Panagia Afentrika [Παναγια Αφεντρικα]), ruins, İskele District, 35°39′N, 34°26′E, ca. 25 m a. s. l.; - Kantara (= Kantara [Κανταρα]), Kantara castle ruins 3 km to NE, İskele District, 35°24′N, 33°55′E, ca. 625 m a. s. l.; - Southern Cyprus: Kakopetria [Κακοπετρια], Troodos Forest, mine 5 km to SW (upper gallery), Lefkosia District, 34°57′N, 32°52′E, ca. 1665 m a. s. l.; - Kakopetria [Κακοπετρια], Troodos Forest, mine 4 km to SW (lower gallery), Lefkosia District, 34°58′N, 32°52′E, ca. 1305 m a. s. l.; - Neo Horio [Νεο Χωριο], Smigies Trail ca. 3 km to NW, abandoned chromite mine system ‘Magnesia Mine’, Akamas Peninsula, Pafos District, 35°03′N, 32°20′E, ca. 305 m a. s. l.

Country / Family / Subfamily / Genus / Species Country: CRETE Family: NYCTERIBIIDAE Samouelle, 1819 Subfamily: Nycteribiinae Samouelle, 1819 Genus: Nycteribia Latreille, 1796	Species of host
Nycteribia latreilii (Leach, 1817)*	Myotis blythii (Tomes, 1857)**
Nycteribia pedicularia Latreille, 1805	Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837)
Nycteribia schmidlii schmidlii Schiner, 1853 Genus: Phthiridium Hermann, 1804	Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837) Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817)
Phthiridium biarticulatum Hermann, 1804 Genus: Basilia Miranda-Ribeiro, 1903	Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774)
Basilia mongolensis nudior Hůrka, 1972* Genus: Penicillidia Kolenati, 1863	Myotis aurascens Kusjakin, 1935**
Penicillidia conspicua Speiser, 1901*	Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817)**
Penicillidia dufourii Westwood, 1835* Family: STREBLIDAE Kolenati, 1683 Subfamily: Brachytarsininae (Speiser, 1900) Genus: Brachytarsina Macquart, 1851	Myotis blythii (Tomes, 1857)** Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837)**
Brachytarsina flavipennis Macquart, 1851* Country: CYPRUS Family: NYCTERIBIIDAE Samouelle, 1819 Subfamily: Nycteribiinae Samouelle, 1819 Genus: Nycteribia Latreille, 1796	Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774)** Myotis aurascens Kusjakin, 1935**
Nycteribia pedicularia Latreille, 1805	Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837)
Nycteribia schmidlii schmidlii Schiner, 1853 Genus: Phthiridium Hermann, 1804	Rhinolophus euryale Blasius, 1853
Phthiridium biarticulatum Hermann, 1804	Rhinolophus blasii Peters, 1867** Rhinolophus euryale Blasius, 1853 Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774)**
Phthiridium integrum (Theodor and Moscona, 1954)* Genus: Basilia Miranda-Ribeiro, 1903	Eptesicus anatolicus Felten, 1971**
Basilia daganiae Theodor and Moscona, 1954 Genus: Penicillidia Kolenati, 1863	Pipistrellus kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817)
Penicillidia conspicua Speiser, 1901	Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817)
Penicillidia dufourii Westwood, 1835* Family: STREBLIDAE Kolenati, 1683 Subfamily: Brachytarsininae (Speiser, 1900) Genus: Brachytarsina Macquart, 1851	Myotis blythii (Tomes, 1857)** Myotis nattereri (Kuhl, 1817)**
Brachytarsina flavipennis Macquart, 1851*	Rhinolophus blasii Peters, 1867**
	Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774)**

Appendix II. Checklist of Nycteribiidae and Streblidae with their hosts from the islands of Crete and Cyprus. Checklist of 7 species, with 4 genera of  bat flies Nycteribiidae and 1 species of Streblidae known from Crete and the same number of species and genera from

both parasitic families documented from Cyprus, based on both literature data and new records obtained during recent field studies. The first record of the parasite (*) and the first record from the host (**) of the respective island are indicated.

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Graciolli, G. and Dick, C.W. 2008. Checklist of World Nycteribiidae (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea). Available at http://fm1.fieldmuseum.org/aa/Files/cdick/Nycteribiidae_ Checklist_1jul08.pdf (accessed November 2011).

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Common soapwort, bouncing-bet, crow soap, wild sweet William, and soapweed - Saponaria officinalis L. - Cyprus

Garden escape

Saponaria officinalis is a common perennial plant from the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). This plant has many common names,including common soapwort, bouncing-bet, crow soap, wild sweet William, and soapweed. There are about 20 species of soapworts altogether.

The scientific name Saponaria is derived from the Latin sapo (stem sapon-) meaning "soap," which, like its common name, refers to its utility in cleaning. From this same Latin word is derived the name of the toxic substance saponin, contained in the roots at levels up to 20 percent when the plant is flowering (Indian soapnuts contain only 15 percent). It produces a lather when in contact with water. The epithet officinalis indicates its medicinal functions.

Saponaria officinalis‍‍ '​‍s native range extends throughout Europe, and in Asia till western Siberia. It grows in cool places at low or moderate elevations under hedgerows and along the shoulders of roadways.

The plants possesses leafy, unbranched stems (often tinged with red). It grows in patches, attaining a height of 70 cm. The broad, lanceolate, sessile leaves are opposite and between 4 and 12 cm long. Its sweetly scented flowers are radially symmetrical and pink, or sometimes white. Each of the five flat petals have two small scales in the throat of the corolla. They are about 2.5 cm wide. They are arranged in dense, terminal clusters on the main stem and its branches. The long tubular calyx has five pointed red teeth.

The individual flowers open in the evening, and stay open for about three days. They produce a stronger scent at night and supplement nectar production during the night. The flowers are protandrous: on the second night of blooming, the pollen is released, and the stigma develops to its final position by the third night. Much of the seed production comes from self-pollination. The flowers are visited by various insects including Noctuidae, Sphingidae, bumblebees, and hoverflies.

In the northern hemisphere Saponaria officinalis blooms from May to September, and in the southern hemisphere October to March. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Troodos 4/9/2011 by George Konstantinou

Desert locust - Schistocerca gregaria (Forsskål, 1775) - Cyprus

See also - Λίστα με τα Ορθόπτερα της Κύπρου - ;LIst of Orthoptera of Cyprus 

The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is a species of locust. Plagues of desert locusts have threatened agricultural production in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia for centuries. The livelihood of at least one-tenth of the world’s human population can be affected by this voracious insect.

The desert locust is potentially the most dangerous of the locust pests because of the ability of swarms to fly rapidly across great distances. It has two to five generations per year. The last major desert locust upsurge in 2004–05 caused significant crop losses in West Africa and had a negative impact on food security in the region. While the desert locust alone is not responsible for famines, it can be an important contributing factor.

The life cycle of the desert locust consists of three stages, the egg, the larva known as a hopper and the winged adult. Copulation takes place when a mature male hops onto the back of a mature female and grips her body with his legs. Sperm is transferred from the tip of his abdomen to the tip of hers, where it is stored. The process takes several hours and one insemination is sufficient for a number of batches of eggs.

The female then seeks suitable soft soil in which to lay her eggs. It needs to be the right temperature and degree of dampness and be in close proximity to other egg-laying females. She probes the soil with her abdomen and digs a hole into which an eggpod containing up to a hundred eggs is deposited. The eggpod is 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) long and the lower end is about 10 cm (4 in) below the surface of the ground. The eggs are surrounded by foam and this hardens into a membrane and plugs the hole above the egg pod. The eggs absorb moisture from the surrounding soil. The incubation period before the eggs hatch may be two weeks or much longer, depending on the temperature.

The newly hatched nymph is known as a hopper. It soon begins to feed and is attracted to other hoppers and they group together. As it grows it needs to moult; its hard cuticle splits and its body expands while the new skin is soft. The stages between moulting are called instars and the desert locust nymph undergoes five moults before becoming a winged adult. Hoppers are gregarious and form bands which feed, bask and move as cohesive units.

After the fifth moult the insect is said to have fledged but it is not yet mature. It is at first soft and pink with drooping wings, but over the course of a few days, the cuticle hardens and haemolymph is pumped into the wings which stiffen them. Maturation can occur in two to four weeks when the food supply and weather conditions are suitable, but may take as long as six months when they are less ideal. Males start maturing first and give off an odour which stimulates maturation in the females. On maturing the insects turn yellow and the abdomens of the females start swelling with developing eggs.

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Oroklini 1/4/2013 by George Konstantinou

Centuryplant, maguey, or American aloe - Agave americana L. - Cyprus

Cyprus garden plant

Agave americana, common names centuryplant, maguey, or American aloe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Agavaceae, originally native to Mexico, and the United States in Arizona and Texas. Today it cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. It has become naturalized in many regions including the West Indies, parts of South America, the southern Mediterranean Basin, parts of Africa, India, China, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia. 

Despite the common name "American aloe", it is not closely related to plants in the genus Aloe.

Although it is called the century plant, it typically lives only 10 to 30 years. It has a spread of about 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) with gray-green leaves of 3–5 ft (0.9–1.5 m) long, each with a prickly margin and a heavy spike at the tip that can pierce to the bone. Near the end of its life, the plant sends up a tall, branched stalk, laden with yellow blossoms, that may reach a total height of up to 25–30 ft (8–9 m) tall.

Its common name derives from its semelparous nature of flowering only once at the end of its long life. The plant dies after flowering, but produces suckers or adventitious shoots from the base, which continue its growth

Agave americana was one of the many species described by Carl Linnaeus in the 1753 edition of Species Plantarum, with the binomial name that is still used today

Agave americana is cultivated as an ornamental plant for the large dramatic form of mature plants - for modernist, drought tolerant, and desert style cactus gardens - among many planted settings. The plants can be evocative of 18th-19th-century Spanish colonial and Mexican provincial eras in the Southwestern United States, California, and xeric Mexico.  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Perkamos 13/7/2015 by George Konstantinou

Bloody brittlegill - Russula sanguinaria (Schumach.) Rauschert - Cyprus

Russula sanguinaria, commonly known as the bloody brittlegill, is a strikingly coloured mushroom, a member of the Russula genus, which has the common name of brittlegills. It is bright blood-red, inedible, and grows in association with coniferous trees. It was previously widely known as Russula sanguinea.
Russula sanguinaria appears in summer and autumn. It is widespread in the northern temperate zones, and is mycorrhizal with softwood trees, often Pinus (pine) in coniferous woodland, on sandy soils
This mushroom is inedible; has a 'peppery' taste, and is sometimes quite bitter. Many similar-tasting Russulas are poisonous when eaten raw. The symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal in nature: diarrhoea, vomiting and colicky abdominal cramps. The active agent has not been identified but is thought to consist of sesquiterpenes, which have been isolated from Russula sardonia, and the related genus Lactarius
Around 750 worldwide species of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms compose the genus Russula. They are typically common, fairly large, and brightly colored – making them one of the most recognizable genera among mycologists and mushroom collectors. Their distinguishing characteristics include a white to dark yellow spore print, brittle free white gills, and an absence of partial veil or volvatissue on the stem. Members of the related Lactarius genus have similar characteristics but emit a milky latex when their gills are broken. The genus was described by Christian Hendrik Persoon in 1796.

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Akanthou 26/12/2014 by George Konstantinou

Shrubby Sea-blite - Suaeda vera (Forssk.) - Cyprus

Suaeda vera, or Shrubby Sea-blite, is a species of plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It is a coastal species found particularly where shingle and salt marsh meet. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Kouklia Amochostou 13/7/2015 by George Konstantinou

Awned canary-grass and hood canarygrass. - Phalaris paradoxa L. - Cyprus

Phalaris paradoxa is a species of grass in genus Phalaris. Common names include awned canary-grass and hood canarygrass.

The spikelets are very different from those of other members of this genus. The spiklet glumes each have a hook.

It is native to Africa, Asia, and Europe, and it has been introduced widely. Its distribution within the United States includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Kouklia Amochostou 13/7/2015 by George Konstantinou

Threebract loosestrife. - Lythrum tribracteatum (Salzm. ex Spreng) - Cyprus

Lythrum tribracteatum is a species of flowering plant in the loosestrife family known by the common name threebract loosestrife. It is native to Europe, and it is found in parts of western North America as an introduced species. It often grows in moist habitat, such as ponds. This is an erect, branching annual herb growing up to about 30 centimeters in maximum height. The oblong leaves are up to 2.5 centimeters long and arranged oppositely on the lower stem, and alternately on the upper. Clusters of small flowers grow in the leaf axils, each with glandular bright red sepals and tiny lavender petals.
 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Kouklia Amochostou 13/7/2015 by George Konstantinou