A rather unfruitful relationship? Fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of the alien invasive Ficus microcarpa in Cyprus

Demetriou, Jakovos; Koutsoukos, Evangelos; Mavrovounioti, Nicole; Radea, Canella; Arianoutsou, Margarita; Roy, Helen E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6050-679X; Compton, Stephen G.; Martinou, Angeliki F.. 2023 A rather unfruitful relationship? Fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of the alien invasive Ficus microcarpa in Cyprus. BioInvasions Records, 12 (2). 573-580. 10.3391/bir.2023.12.2.20

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/bir.2023.12.2.20

Abstract/Summary

The Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa) is an Australasian fig tree commonly planted in urban and semi-urban sites throughout the warmer parts of the world. Assisted by its host-specific mutualist pollinator Eupristina verticillata (Agaonidae), F. microcarpa often manages to colonise urban areas outside its native range and can invade natural habitats. In Cyprus, the species is widely planted in city centres, town squares and parks, where seedlings have been observed. Increasing numbers of fig wasp species of Asian origin are being recorded from the Mediterranean and it appears that the pace of colonisation of F. microcarpa is increasing. Fig surveys in Cyprus during the last seven years have uncovered a total of 11 fig wasp species associated with F. microcarpa. The composition of the fig wasp fauna is described here. It includes two species previously unknown from the Western Palearctic: Sycophila petiolata Chen (Eurytomidae) and an undescribed species of uncertain generic affinity (Pteromalidae, Epichrysomallinae) that we refer to as “Eufroggattisca sp. indesc.”. The distribution, ecology and relationships of the Cypriot fig wasps associated with the Chinese banyan are discussed, together with their potential impacts on the spread of their host plant.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.3391/bir.2023.12.2.20
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	2242-1300
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	Agaonidae, alien species, biological invasions, Eurytomidae, first records, eastern Mediterranean, Pteromalidae
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	08 Aug 2023 15:30 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/535537

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.3391/bir.2023.12.2.20

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

2242-1300

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

Agaonidae, alien species, biological invasions, Eurytomidae, first records, eastern Mediterranean, Pteromalidae