First record of Melanaphis donacis (Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Quetta, Balochistan: westernmost range in Pakistan
Muhammad Amin1,3, Imran Bodlah2, Muhammad Qasim3, Naveed Iftikhar Jajja3
1Department of Entomology, Balochistan Agriculture College, 87300 Quetta, Pakistan
2Insect Biodiversity and Conservation Group, Department of Entomology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, 46000 Rawalpindi, Pakistan
3Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Entomology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Abstract
Melanaphis donacis (Passerini) is reported on Arundo donax L., for the first time from Quetta (Balochistan). The species was collected during spring 2018; its presence signifies the westernmost locality/range for this species in Pakistan and the subcontinent. Detailed diagnostic features, morphometric data and comparison with type specimens of the species hitherto-described from the subcontinent, distribution and ecology with supportive photograph of the colony is presented in this manuscript.
