A STUDY ON TRUE BUGS (LYGAEIDAE, INSECTA) IN THE CENTRAL ALBANIAN HABITATS

 

Eltjon Halimi ¹, Xhuliana Qirinxhi ²,  Gerta Subashaj ³, Anila Paparisto ¹

 

¹ University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tirana, Albania

² University “Fan. S. Noli” Korçë, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, Korçë, Albania

³ Reald University College, Faculty of Medical Technical Sciences, Vlora, Albania

 

1. INTRODUCTION

The Lygaeidae family consists of small to medium-sized species, with some notably small. Many displays bright colors, primarily red and black, though also including yellow Dolling (1991), Péricart (1998).

These insects have two simple eyes and two compound eyes, with a small head. Their mouthparts comprise a single rostrum with four segments, and their antennae are segmented into four parts. Additionally, the scutellum usually displays a Y-shaped swelling, while their legs have a compound tarsus with three segments Slater (1975).

Lygaeidae species mainly feed on plants, primarily consuming seeds, although some also feed on vegetative parts like flowers. Moreover, certain species within this family display predatory behavior Servadei (1967), Servadei et al. (1972), Silvestri (1939), Miller (1971).

This paper explores Lygaeidae species across four habitats in central Albania, covering Tirana and Elbasan regions Filipi & Bianchini (2014). The aim is to conduct a thorough analysis of the species distribution within this family, considering genera and collection stations.

 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Biological specimens were gathered during expeditions carried out between 2021 and 2023 in ecological environments at stations located in Central Albania, namely Dajti, Krraba, Iba, and Vora. These stations encompass habitats consisting of mountainous, field, and cultivated agricultural terrain. Biological material was randomly sampled between 09⁰⁰ and 14⁰⁰ hours during the June-August period.

Entomological mowing nets with a diameter of 80cm, aspirators, and Pitt's traps were utilized in this study. The mowing has developed using entomological nets followed a meticulous technique, covering 100 m2 (10m x 10m) regions and requiring five passes along the diagonal of each square Colas (2000), Chapman (1988).

Following the collection process, the speciemens were carefully placed into plastic bottles that were appropriately labeled with the date and station. Biologically pure substances were preserved in polypropylene flasks with capacities ranging from 150 to 200 cc. Subsequently, the specimens were conveyed to the scientific laboratory and conserved in containers filled with a mixture of 95% ethanol, acetic acid, and distilled water, in addition to a little amount of ether Colas (2000), Chapman (1988).

The taxonomik determination of speciemens was performed using a ZEISS stereomicroscope (Uzi Series 240/3 Model 50240003). This was done by utilizing determination keys that are specific to the family, as well as referring to previous collections and relevant articles Aukema & Rieger (1999), Cağata (1989). Additionally, our previous publications on Hemiptera species in our country Halimi et al. (2013), Halimi et al. (2023) were also considered.

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

We taxonomically identified 96 specimens collected from the ecosystems of the Dajti, Krraba, Iba, and Vora stations. Table 1 displays the species that have been recognized, organized according to genera. The table includes the number of specimens collected for each species, accompanied by a "+" symbol denoting the corresponding station where it was encountered.

Table 1

Table 1 List of Species for Lygaeidae Family
No.	Scientific name	No.ekze.	Dajt	Krrabë	Ibë	Vorë
	Family Lygaeidae Schilling, 1829
1	Genus Beosus
1	B. quadripunctatus O.F. Müller, 1766	3	1		1
2	Genus Geocoris
2	G. erythrocephalus Le Peletier – Serville, 1825	4		1		1
3	Genus Graptopeltus
3	G. lynceus Fabricius, 1775	5	1		1
4	Genus Heterogaser
4	H. urticae Fabricius, 1775	2		1
5	Genus Ischnodemus
5	I.sabuleti Fallén, 1826	2		1
6	I.hirticornis Herrich-Schäffer, 1850	3			1
6	Genus Kleidocerys
7	K. resedae Panzer, 1797	2				1
7	Genus Lygaeus
8	L. equestris Linnaeus, 1758	3			1
9	L. pandurus Scopoli, 1763	5		1
10	L. saxatilis Scopoli, 1763	49	1			1
8	Genus Metopoplax
11	M. origani Kolenati, 1845	6		1
9	Genus Nysius
12	N. senecionis Schilling, 1829	4		1	1
10	Genus Orsillus
13	O. maculatus Fieber, 1861	5			1	1
11	Genus Pezocoris
14	P. apicimacula Costa,1853	2		1
12	Genus Tropidothorax
15	T. eucopterus Goeze, 1778	1	1	1

 

Based on the taxonomic examination of the Lygaeidae family specimens collected, it is revealed that this family consists of 15 species from 12 genera at the stations in Central Albania (refer to Table 2 and Figure 1).

Table 2

Table 2 Species Numbers According to the Genera for the Lygaeidae Family
No	Lygaeidae Genera	No. of Species	Species frequency
1	Beosus	1	6.67%
2	Platyplax	1	6.67%
3	Orsillus	1	6.67%
4	Pezocoris	1	6.67%
5	Nysius	1	6.67%
6	Metopoplax	1	6.67%
7	Lygaeus	3	20.00%
8	Kleidocerys	1	6.67%
9	Ischnodemus	2	13.33%
10	Graptopeltus	1	6.67%
11	Heterogaster	1	6.67%
12	Geocoris	1	6.67%

 

The table presents the distribution of species across different genera, along with their corresponding frequencies. These frequencies were determined by including the number of specimens for each genus and the overall count of 15 taxonomically determined species by us, in this study. The chart illustrates the number of species by genus, as above.

Figure 1

Figure 1 Number of Species According to the Genera

 

An examination of the distribution of the family Lygaeidae shows that the genus Lygaeus is the most widespread, with 3 species, representing 20% of all species reported by us. It is followed by the genus Ischnodemus which is reported with two species, accounting for 13.33% of the total. The remaining genera, namely Geocoris, Beosus, Heterogaste, Graptopeltus, Kleidocerys, Metopoplax, Nysius, Pezocoris, Orsillus, and Platyplax, have been shown to possess a solitary species, accounting for a mere 6.67% of the overall species count.

This means that the ecological systems in Central Albania offer very favorable environments for species belonging to the genus Lygaeus, which show greater adaptability to different environmental and urban fluctuations within the area.

Examination of species diversity in many countries shows significant variation (Table 3, Figure 2). The Krraba station exhibits the highest level of species richness among the Lygaeidae family, including a total of 8 species, representing 53.33% of the total observed species. In contrast, the Iba station exhibits the least amount of diversity, with only 6 species, accounting for 40% of the total. Dajti and Vora stations have a lower level of species variety, where each station has only 4 species, accounting for 26.67% of the total.

The results of this study show that the mountain and plain ecosystems in the Krraba region offer very favorable conditions for the survival of these species. It can be seen that urban developments, especially new constructions, have a somewhat smaller impact on these species compared to other locations. The present study posits that the conversion of highland ecosystems in the Dajti area into winter tourist resorts, along with the growth of industrial activities in the Vora region, has played a role in the documented decrease in the species diversity seen at these two specific locations.

Calculation of species frequency per station was performed using the number of 15 species documented in the four locations included in this research.

Table 3

Table 3 The number of Species According to the Stations
Station	Species number	Species frequency
Dajt	4	26.67%
Krrabë	8	53.33%
Ibë	6	40.00%
Vorë	4	26.67%

Figure 2

Figure 2 Distribution of Number for Species According to the Stations

 

4. CONCLUSIONS

This study presents the results gained from the analysis of 96 environmental samples collected from the ecological systems of Central Albania. A total of 15 species of the Lygaeidae family were found, dispersed among 12 genera.

The genus Lygaeus exhibits the most variety within the Lygaeidae family, consisting of 3 species, which accounts for 20% of the total. This indicates that these habitats are especially advantageous for this genus.

Krraba is the most abundant station in the Lygaeidae family, with 8 species, accounting for 53.33% of the total. In contrast, Dajti and Vora have fewer species, each with 4 species, indicating a frequency of 26.67%. The aforementioned suggests that Krraba provides more advantageous environments for species belonging to the Lygaeidae family. Conversely, the proliferation of winter tourist resorts in the Dajti region and the establishment of industrial parks in the Vora area could potentially lead to a decline in the observed species diversity.

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

None.

 

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