Sunn pest or corn bug – Eurygaster integriceps Puton, 1881.- Cyprus

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Order: Hemiptera

Family: Scutelleridae

Eurygaster integriceps is a species of shield bug in the family Scutelleridae, commonly known as the sunn pest or corn bug. It is native to much of northern Africa, the Balkans and western and central Asia. It is a major pest of cereal crops especially wheat, barley and oats.

Morphology and biology

The colour of the sunn pest varies but it is usually light brown. The body is a broad oval about 12 millimetres (0.5 in) long. The scutellum is wide and chitinous and covers the wings and the whole abdomen. The insect lives for about a month during which time the females lay twenty eight to forty two eggs. These are laid in batches each having two neat rows of seven eggs, on the underside of leaves and on the stems of the host plant, or sometimes on weeds. The eggs take six to twenty eight days to hatch and the nymphs moult five times while they feed on the leaves, stems and ears of cereal crops for the next twenty to forty five days. They grow fastest at an air temperature of 20–24 °C (68–75 °F). The second and third instars have a pale abdomen and dark head and thorax. The fourth instar has the rudiments of fore wings and the fifth instar, the rudiments of hind wings as well.

Distribution

The sunn pest is found in Northern Africa, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria[1] and Romania. In Asia it occurs in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and the republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In Russia it has spread into the central and Volga Basin regions, the Northern Caucasus, the Chelyabinsk region and Bashkortostan.

Ecology

The adults mostly overwinter in leaf litter in woods but some find refuge among rough vegetation. When the temperature reaches about 13 °C (55 °F) they seek out cereal crops, start to feed on the stems, leaves and developing seed heads, mate and lay their eggs. There is only one generation each year so adults and nymphs can be found feeding together on the ripening grain. If the insects are not fully developed when the crop is harvested, some nymphs and young adults feed and mature on fallen grain and other crop residues before flying off to their winter quarters. In Syria, they spend about nine months in hibernation. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurygaster_integriceps

Photo 2005 by George Konstantinou

Seed Bugs – Lethaeus sp. - Cyprus

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Order: Hemiptera

Family: Rhyparochromidae

Photo 2005 by George Konstantinou

Seed Bugs – Heterogaster sp. - Cyprus

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Order: Hemiptera

Family: Heterogastridae

Heterogaster is a genus of seed bugs in the family Heterogastridae. There are about 11 species, nine of the Old World, and two of the New World

Photo 2005 by George Konstantinou

Planthoppers - Reptalus sp. - Cyprus

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Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Family Cixiidae (Cixiid Planthoppers)

A planthopper is any insect in the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, a group exceeding 12,500 described species worldwide. The name comes from their remarkable resemblance to leaves and other plants of their environment and that they often "hop" for quick transportation in a similar way to that of grasshoppers. However, planthoppers generally walk very slowly. Distributed worldwide, all members of this group are plant-feeders, though few are considered pests. The infraorder contains only a single superfamily, Fulgoroidea. Fulgoroids are most reliably distinguished from the other Auchenorrhyncha by two features; the bifurcate ("Y"-shaped) anal vein in the forewing, and the thickened, three-segmented antennae, with a generally round or egg-shaped second segment (pedicel) that bears a fine filamentous arista

Photo 2005 by George Konstantinou

Pill-bug - Armadillidium vulgare Latreille, 1804 - Cyprus

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Order: Isopoda

Family: Armadillidiidae

Armadillidium vulgare, the common pill-bug, potato bug, common pill woodlouse, roly-poly, slater, doodle bug, or carpenter, is a widespread European species of woodlouse. It is the most extensively investigated terrestrial isopod species.

Description

Armadillidium vulgare may reach a length of 18 millimetres (11⁄16 in), and is capable of rolling into a ball when disturbed; this ability, along with its general appearance, gives it the name pill-bug and also creates the potential for confusion with pill millipedes such as Glomeris marginata. It can be distinguished from Armadillidium nasatum and Armadillidium depressum by the gap that A. nasatum and A. depressum leave when rolling into a ball; A. vulgare does not leave such a gap.

Ecology

Armadillidium vulgare is able to withstand drier conditions than many other woodlouse species, and is restricted to calcareous soils or coastal areas. It feeds chiefly on decaying plant matter, but also grazes lichens and algae from tree bark and walls.

It is able to regulate its temperature through its behaviour, preferring bright sunshine when temperatures are low, but remaining in shadow when temperatures are high; temperatures below −2 °C (28 °F) or above 36 °C (97 °F) are lethal to it. A. vulgare is less susceptible to cold during the night, and may enter a state of dormancy during the winter in order to survive temperatures that would otherwise be lethal.

Distribution

The native distribution of A. vulgare ranges across Europe, especially in the Mediterranean Basin. In the United Kingdom, A. vulgare is very common in southern and eastern England, but is more confined to coastal areas in the north. Similarly, in Ireland, A. vulgare is common in the south and east, but rarer in the north and west.

A. vulgare has also been introduced to many locations in North America, where it may reach population densities of up to 10,000 individuals per square metre (900 individuals per square foot). It is now one of the most abundant invertebrate species in California coastal grassland habitats. It has also been introduced, to a lesser extent, to sites across the world.

Relationships with humans

Because of their unusual yet non-threatening appearance, some Armadillidium vulgare are kept as pets in areas throughout the world. Different lineages are bred, usually in regards to color, in order to provide stock to hobbyists. One supposed variation, "Punta Cana," is often referred to as Armadillidium sordidum, while others insist it is a variety of A. vulgare.[10] Keeping a pet pill bug requires a very moist habitat with limited light and abundant decaying botanical matter. They can often live up to three years. Among non-hobbyist adults, they are often seen as unwanted (but essentially harmless) home pests.

Mitochondrial genome

Most metazoans have circular mitochondrial genomes, but A.vulgare has an unusual combination of both circular and linear mitochondrial DNA. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armadillidium_vulgare

Photo 2005 by George Konstantinou

Odontotarsus sp.- Cyprus

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Order: Hemiptera

Family: Scutelleridae

Hemiptera (/hɛˈmɪptərə/; from Ancient Greek hemipterus 'half-winged') is an order of insects, commonly called true bugs, comprising over 80,000 species within groups such as the cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, assassin bugs, bed bugs, and shield bugs. They range in size from 1 mm (0.04 in) to around 15 cm (6 in), and share a common arrangement of piercing-sucking mouthparts. The name "true bugs" is often limited to the suborder Heteroptera

Photo 2005 by George Konstantinou

Shore earwig, tawny earwig, riparian earwig, or the striped earwig - Labidura riparia (Pallas, 1773). - Cyprus

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Order: Dermaptera

Family: Labiduridae

Labidura riparia is a species of earwig in the family Labiduridae characterized by their modified cerci as forceps, and light tan color. They are commonly known as the shore earwig, tawny earwig, riparian earwig, or the striped earwig due to two dark longitudinal stripes down the length of the pronotum. They are sometimes wrongly referred to as Labidura japonica, although said species is actually a subspecies, Labidura riparia japonica, found only in Japan. L. riparia are a cosmopolitan species primarily in tropical to subtropical regions. Body size varies greatly, ranging from 16 mm to 30 mm, with 10 abdominal segments. Males and females differ in forcep size, with males having much larger and stronger curve, while females have smaller, straighter forceps with a slight curve at the end. Earwigs use these forceps to assist in predation, defense, sexual selection, courting and mating, and wing folding.

L. riparia are a subsocial earwig with complex maternal habits. They are voracious predators, and highly regarded as efficient for pest control in many situations. Repugnitory glands in the earwigs cause them to secrete a foul smelling pheromone to deter predators, which is said to smell like decomposition.

Males of this species have two penises in which they can use interchangeably.[8] Individuals have a preference on which they dominantly use though. Just like humans’ limb dexterity, L. riparia have a 90% prevalence of “right-handed” penises. This unequal proportion is unique to this species compared to all other earwigs, and may have a relationship with the spermatheca location on females.

The striped earwig prefers dark, moist environments with shelter that it can hide in during the daytime. They can be found in a variety of niches though, from cultured and uncultured farmlands, woodlands, and the margins of ponds and lakes. To save energy, the earwigs will occupy abandoned mole cricket burrows for brooding nests. Individuals are known to fly after a disturbance in search of a new nest as theirs may have become waterlogged or destroyed. Flight towards light has been observed due to their methods of orientation via the moon.

L. riparia are generalist predators whose diet consists entirely of insects or scavenged meat. They have a preference to Lepidoptera larvae and insect eggs, but will eat any available insect. The earwig may use its long and powerful cerci to kill and immobilise larger insects. Because of their flexible eating habits, they easily adapt to any habit as long as there are insect around. In absence of a ready food supply, they have been known to eat nymphs and eggs of their own species. As nocturnal insects, earwigs only hunt after sunset, but feed primarily just after sunset occurs. Feeding habits of females depend more on their ovulatory cycle, and will go long periods of time without eating in preparation of egg laying.

The primary predator to L. riparia is ants, as they prey on unattended eggs. Overlap of predation does occur between organisms though as the earwigs prey on the ant eggs as well, the effect of ants on earwigs seems to be greater than the reverse relationship, as populations of earwigs increase if the ants decrease.From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labidura_riparia

Photos Alaminos 2005 by George Konstantinou

Plant bugs - Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) rutilus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838) - Cyprus

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Order: Hemiptera

Family: Miridae

Deraeocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae. There are at least 210 described species in Deraeocoris.

Photo Geri 2005 by George Konstantinou

Distoleon tetragrammicus (Fabricius, 1798) - Cyprus

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Order: Neuroptera

Family: Myrmeleontidae

Distoleon tetragrammicus is a species of antlion in the subfamily Myrmeleontinae.

Distribution

Distoleon tetragrammicus is widespread in the western Palearctic realm and it is present in most of Southern Europe and in North Africa.

Habitat

This species can be found in a wide range of habitats, from coastal dunes to mountain forests, mainly in arid and sandy areas, in oak and pine forests and in various calcareous wasteland with minimum moisture. The larvae avoid exposed sites as coastal dunes

The adults of Distoleon tetragrammicus greatly resemble dragonflies or damselflies. They have a wingspan of about 75 millimetres (3.0 in). The front wing can reach a width of 26–40 millimetres (1.0–1.6 in). They have thick, prominent, apically clubbed antennae, a long, narrow abdomen and two pairs of long, transparent, multiveined wings, with some brown and opaque spots. This species is sometimes confused with Myrmeleon formicarius.

The larvae do not look anything like adults. The length of a fully grown larva is typically 12–22 millimetres (0.47–0.87 in).[8][9] The basic body color is dark brown with darker markings. The head is dark brown. The strong dark brown mandibles do not show long bristles outside the margins. Pronotum is covered by large black setae and short bristles. The dorsal side of abdomen has a series of circular markings and a characteristic dorsal median stripe. Mesothoracic and abdominal spiracles are brown. Legs may be yellowish or whitish.

The adults of Distoleon tetragrammicus appear in the middle of the summer and fly from June to August. They are attracted to light. The life cycle begins with oviposition by the female into sand. Larvae of this species don't build craters or pit traps. They live buried in dry ground and may be errant. They are voracious predators, feeding on small insects and other small arthropods that they catch with their powerful jaws. After one year the larva retreats into a cocoon and metamorphoses into an adult From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distoleon_tetragrammicus

Photo by Michael Hadjiconstantis

Delfimeus limassolicus (Navás, 1931) - Cyprus

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Order: Neuroptera

Family: Myrmeleontidae

Delfimeus limassolicus is a species of Neuroptera in the family   Family Myrmeleontidae (antlions). They are nocturnal.

Photo by Michael Hadjiconstantis

Cueta lineosa (Rambur, 1842) - Cyprus

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Order: Neuroptera

Family: Myrmeleontidae

Cueta is an antlion genus in the family Myrmeleonidae.

Photo Geri 2005 by George Konstantinou

Cotton seed bug - Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (A. Costa, 1843) - Cyprus

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Family: Lygaeidae

Oxycarenus hyalinipennis, common name cotton seed bug, is a species of plant bug belonging to the family Lygaeidae, subfamily Oxycareninae

Distribution

This widespread species can be found in Southern Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, former Yugoslavia and Albania), in the Afrotropical realm, in the Neotropical realm, and in the Oriental realm.

While historically it has been documented as an important pest of cotton in the Mediterranean region and in coastal Africa, it is an invasive species whose range has expanded over the last three decades to include islands of the Caribbean region.

Oxycarenus hyalinipennis can reach a length of about 3.8 mm in males, of 4.3 mm in females. Therefore, males are slightly smaller than females. Body of these bugs is black with translucent wings. Head is black, with brownish-black antennae. The second antennal segment usually is partially pale yellow. Pronotum is blackish-brown. Corium is usually yellowish-whitish and hyaline. Femora are black, while tibiae are brown with a yellow-white band.

Nymphs have pink to red abdomen.

Biology

This species may have three to four generations per year. Females of these bugs lay about twenty eggs. This species goes through five nymphal stages. A generation lasts about twenty days.

It is a polyphagous insect, and it has been documented as a prominent pest upon the following genera within family Malvaceae: Abutilon, Cola, Eriodendron, Gossypium, Malva, Sphaeralcea, Hibiscus, Pavonia, Sida, Dombeya, Sterculia and Triumfetta. Of these, Gossypium appears to be the preferred host,[3][6] but significant pest presence on okra has also been reported. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycarenus_hyalinipennis

Photo Geri 2005 by George Konstantinou

Chrysoperla sp.. - Cyprus

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Family: Chrysopidae

Order: Neuroptera

Chrysoperla is a genus of common green lacewings in the neuropteran family Chrysopidae.Therein they belong to the Chrysopini, the largest tribe of subfamily Chrysopinae. Their larvae are predatory and feed on aphids, and members of this genus have been used in biological pest control.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

The genus Chrysoperla was first described by H. Steinmann in 1964 as a subgenus of Chrysopa as Chrysopa (Chrysoperla). His original diagnosis based on facial markings was found to be unreliable by B. Tjeder in 1966, who revised Steinmann's subgeneric classification based on details of male genitalia. In 1970, H. Hölzel revised these subgenera further and moved Chrysoperla to a subgenus of Atlantochrysa as Atlantochrysa (Chrysoperla). It wasn't until 1977 that Chrysoperla was elevated to a full genus by Y. Séméria, based on the combination of the absence of a gonapsis in males, lack of carrying a debris packet in larvae, and overwintering as an adult. This series of revisions further caused species to be moved between genera several times as the taxa, particularly Chrysopa and Chrysoperla, were being redefined. The monophyly of the genus was verified in the revision of Chrysopidae genera by Brooks and Barnard in 1990.

Description and identification

Chrysoperla is one of several green lacewing genera with adults having a pale, yellowish stripe down the middle of the body. It is typically separated from other such genera by the short intramedian cell (im), which doesn't overlap the first crossvein from the radial sector. This genus, however, is defined predominantly based on male genitalia. Chrysoperla is one of six genera possessing an arcuate tignum and three genera to lack a gonapsis. It is distinguished from all other green lacewing genera by the presence of spinellae on the gonosaccus in the male genitalia.

Chrysoperla species may be identical in terms of morphology, but can be readily separated based on the vibration signals used to attract mates. For example, the southern European C. mediterranea looks almost identical to its northern relative C. carnea, but their courtship "songs" are very different; individuals of one species will not react to the other's vibrations.

Distribution

This genus has a cosmopolitan distribution. Species in this genus are particularly common in both Europe and North America.From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysoperla

Photo Athalassa 2005 by George Konstantinou

Burrowing bugs or negro bugs - Canthophorus dubius (Scopoli, 1763) - Cyprus

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Family: Cydnidae

Canthophorus dubius is a species of burrowing bugs or negro bugs belonging to the family Cydnidae, subfamily Sehirinae.

This palearctic species is widespread in most of Europe, in Asia and in North Africa.

It was found in Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia (in the northwest of the Caucasus), Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine and former Yugoslavia.[3]

Habitat

These burrowing bugs inhabit grasslands and open dry-warm areas, in particular lime or sand-marshes. In the Alps you can find them up to over 1000 meters above sea level.

Canthophorus dubius can reach a length of 6–8 millimetres (0.24–0.31 in) and a width of 3.5–4.5 millimetres (0.14–0.18 in).

The body of these shieldbugs is oval, black or dark blue, sometimes metallic green or bright violet. The margins to the pronotum and corium of the hemielytra are white. Antennae are black with the second segment smaller than third. The legs are black. Membrane of the hemielytra is whitish and connexivum shows white bands.

This species is very similar to Canthophorus impressus. A certain identification requires dissection.

Biology

There is one generation per year. The overwintering occurs as an adult bug under foliage and in moss near the host plants. The mating takes place in May and June. The nymphs appear from June to August, the new generation of adults from July.

Adults and larvae are trophically associated with Thesium species (Thesium alpinum, Thesium linophyllon and Thesium pyrenaicum), more rarely with other plants: wormwood (Artemisia), mint (Salvia), thyme (Thymus) etc. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canthophorus_dubius

 Photo by George Konstantinou

Beosus quadripunctatus (Muller, 1766) - Cyprus

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Family: Rhyparochromidae

Beosus quadripunctatus is a species of dirt-colored seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, found in Europe, the Middle East, and western Asia

 Photo by George Konstantinou

Bay leafhopper - Synophropsis lauri (Horváth, 1897) - Cyprus

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Order: Hemiptera

Family: Cicadellidae

Synophropsis lauri, sometimes called the bay leafhopper, is a species of leafhopper of the subfamily Deltocephalinae, tribe Fieberiellini. It is the only species in the genus Synophropsis.

Description

The hemelytra vary from greyish to brick-red (some sources say the males are grey, females re]) and are somewhat translucent with the veins showing up as whitish. The wings darken towards the tips. There are small dark marks along the suture and at the distal ends of some of the long veins. The head is yellowish and the vertex is sharply pointed. Antennae are filamentous and very long. Size: up to 6.5mm long, or even 7mm.

Nymphs are green, and over-winter. The species is normally said to be univoltine, but it is possible that the females hibernate and produce a second generation.

The species was first described, as Thamnotettix lauri, by Géza Horváth in 1897 from specimens taken in Fiume (Rijeka) and Buccari (Bakar) on the Adriatic coast of what is now Croatia. Nearly 30 years later, Hermann Haupt independently described a single male taken in Gravosa (Gruž), some 260 miles (420 km) further southeast. Haupt placed it in a new genus as Synophropsis wagneri. As these are now regarded as descriptions of the same species, Horvath's specific name has priority even though Haupt's new genus is accepted.

Throughout much of the 20th century it was regarded as a pontomediterranean species, i.e. inhabiting the area between the Black Sea (ho pontos to the ancient Greeks) and the Mediterranean. Since then it has expanded its range rapidly northwards and westwards. It has been known in France, initially Montpellier, since 1972, and in Switzerland since 2000. In 2008–09 it was discovered in Hamburg and Öhringen, two widely separated locations in Germany, and also at Liège in Belgium. It reached the London area in 2007, and has since been found elsewhere in the United Kingdom – the insect in the taxobox was seen in Cambridge in 2014.

Host plants

Synophropsis lauri is polyphagous on evergreen broad-leaved trees and shrubs. It was first described as frequenting, and takes its specific name from, the European bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). This tree, now cultivated far outside its natural Mediterranean range, is a favourite where available. In western Europe specimens of S. lauri have mostly been taken from ivy (Hedera helix). In Turkey S. lauri is listed as a minor pest of olive (Olea europea) groves. From  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synophropsis

 Photos , Potamia by George Konstantinou

A leafhopper is the common name for any species from the family Cicadellidae. These minute insects, colloquially known as hoppers, are plant feeders that suck plant sap from grass, shrubs, or trees. Their hind legs are modified for jumping, and are covered with hairs that facilitate the spreading of a secretion over their bodies that acts as a water repellent and carrier of pheromones. They undergo a partial metamorphosis, and have various host associations, varying from very generalized to very specific. Some species have a cosmopolitan distribution, or occur throughout the temperate and tropical regions. Some are pests or vectors of plant viruses and phytoplasmas. The family is distributed all over the world, and constitutes the second-largest hemipteran family, with at least 20,000 described species.

They belong to a lineage traditionally treated as infraorder Cicadomorpha in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha. This has sometimes been placed in its own suborder (Clypeorrhyncha), but more recent research retains it within Auchenorrhyncha.

Members of the tribe Proconiini of the subfamily Cicadellinae are commonly known as sharpshooters. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leafhopper

Planthoppers - Agalmatium bilobum (Fieber 1877) - Cyprus

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Order: Hemiptera

Family:Issidae

Agalmatium is a genus of planthoppers belonging to the family Issidae, subfamily Issinae. These species are distributed in the Mediterranean, from Portugal, Morocco and Tunisia to Israel, the Crimea and the Caucasus. One species - Agalmatium bilobum – has been introduced in California (USA). 

These planthoppers are characterized by the first segment of hind legs (metatarsomere) with only two intermediate spines apically. In the upper part of the forehead the horizontal transverse carinae are missing. The shape of the body is compact, the head is short and wide. Wings are rather developed, elytra are quite short. Legs are short and strong.

A planthopper is any insect in the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, a group exceeding 12,500 described species worldwide. The name comes from their remarkable resemblance to leaves and other plants of their environment and that they often "hop" for quick transportation in a similar way to that of grasshoppers. However, planthoppers generally walk very slowly. Distributed worldwide, all members of this group are plant-feeders, though few are considered pests. The infraorder contains only a single superfamily, Fulgoroidea. Fulgoroids are most reliably distinguished from the other Auchenorrhyncha by two features; the bifurcate ("Y"-shaped) anal vein in the forewing, and the thickened, three-segmented antennae, with a generally round or egg-shaped second segment (pedicel) that bears a fine filamentous arista.

Overview

Planthoppers are laterally flattened and hold their broad wings vertically, in a tent-like fashion, concealing the sides of the body and part of the legs. Nymphs of many fulgoroids produce wax from special glands on the abdominal terga and other parts of the body. These are hydrophobic and help conceal the insects. Adult females of many families also produce wax which may be used to protect eggs.

Planthopper (Pterodictya reticularis) with abdominal filaments of ketoester wax

Fulgoroid nymphs also possess a biological gear mechanism at the base of the hind legs, which keeps the legs in synchrony when the insects jump. The gears, not present in the adults, were known for decades[5] before the recent description of their function.

Planthoppers are often vectors for plant diseases, especially phytoplasmas which live in the phloem of plants and can be transmitted by planthoppers when feeding.

A number of extinct members of Fulgoroidea are known from the fossil record, such as the Lutetian-age Emiliana from the Green River Formation (Eocene) in Colorado.

Both planthopper adults and nymphs feed by sucking sap from plants; in so doing, the nymphs produce copious quantities of honeydew, on which sooty mould often grows.[3] One species considered to be a pest is Haplaxius crudus, which is a vector for lethal yellowing, a palm disease that nearly killed off the Jamaican Tall coconut variety.From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planthopper

 Photos , Potamia by George Konstantinou

Rambur’s Wave - Idaea elongaria (Rambur, 1833).- Cyprus

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List of Moths of Cyprus you will find in this blog (Lepidoptera)

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Family Geometridae

Idaea elongaria is a species of moth belonging to the family Geometridae . It is commonly known as Rambur’s Wave . The species has been observed in various locations including Greece, Cyprus and Crete.

Photo by George Konstantinou

Selidosema tamsi (Rebel, 1939) - Endemic to Cyprus

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List of Moths of Cyprus you will find in this blog (Lepidoptera)

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 Endemic to Cyprus. The species has great diversity in its external characteristics.

Family Geometridae

Selidosema is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae first described by Jacob Hübner in 1823.

Photo by George Konstantinou

Italian Sea Slater - Ligia italica Fabricius, 1798 - Cyprus

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Isopoda of Cyprus

Ligia italica is a sea Slater, a member of the Ligiidae family - Order: Isopoda

It has an oval body, flattened on the back and on the belly; it is about 12 millimeters long. The species can live in marine and terrestrial habitats and hence share characteristics of both environments but is more adapted to the terrestrial one where they move very swiftly and are camouflaged to the rock. It is hence commonly on the supralittoral zone of rocky coasts.

Distribution

Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic in northern Africa down to Cape Verde and Macaronesian Islands. 

It is characterized by diurnal activity; it moves on rocks and swims in the water, although it does not easily tolerate plunging. Breathing is branchial. Sexes are separated: eggs are incubated in a hollow formed from plates located on the thorax processes of the female. The larvae come out from the eggs which, after several molts, turn into adults. It feeds mainly on vegetable remains or on any other kind of organic material. From https://www.jungledragon.com/specie/32637/italian_sea_slater.html

Photo 3/8/2013 by George Konstantinou