First record of the caper fly Capparimyia savastani (Martelli, 1911) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Cyprus

Abstract

Flies of the genus Capparimyia (Bezzi, 1920) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are predominantly found in the Afrotropical zoogeographical realm (De Meyer & Freidberg 2005). The caper fly, Capparimyia savastani (Martelli, 1911), is the only species penetrating into the Palaearctic and has been reported from various countries of the Mediterranean Basin, namely from Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy (Sicily), Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia, as well as other from other Middle Eastern and South Asian countries (Iran, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan and Yemen) (Donati & Belcari 2003; De Meyer & Freidberg 2005; Merz et al. 2006; Miranda et al. 2008; Papachristos et al. 2009; Moussa & Yammouni 2014; El Harym & Belqat 2017; Mohamadzade Namin & Korneyev 2018). The caper fly is associated with Capparis spp. (Capparidaceae), with the larvae developing in both flower buds and fruits (Longo & Siscaro 1987; De Meyer & Freidberg 2005). As many as six generations per year have been reported, with the population density reaching its maximum in summer (Longo & Siscaro 1987). Two specimens of C. savastani were collected in Cyprus. These findings constitute the first record of this species in Cyprus.

To cite: Demetriou, J. & Kryfos, D. 2020. First record of the caper fly Capparimyia savastani (Martelli, 1911) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Cyprus. Israel Journal of Entomology 50(1): 15–17.

http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3821992
http://zoobank.org/References/49DF6588-51D1-4A15-88C0-1B767C2B1773