Page 11 - Berni_1997

A comribution to the history of Bacillus in Sicily

B. lynceorum and the hybrid B. rossius-grandii grandii. It is very difficult to recognize this
hybrid because it is morphologically similar to Bacillus whitei (Failla et al., 1994: 22). This
taxon, doubted by some authors, is different from B. whitei in being hybridogenetic as
opposed to parthenogenetic. Consequently, while B. whitei is completely free of males of B.
grandii grandii for purposes of reproduction, B. rossius-grandii grandii requires continuous
crosses with "progenitors".

Figure 7. Bacillus grand ii maretimi ~ three nymphs o n lentisk.

A second - and no less important - purpose concerns the conservation of the taxon B.
grandi i grandii. As previously stated, this species is in serious risk of extinction. W e may
assume that the best method of conservation for the taxon is the protection of its environment:
hedges of bramble bushes. Unfortunately, the extensive use of fire in order to remove
unwanted hedges in the lblean territory is a cause of death for this insect. lf these natural
barriers were to be destroyed manually, the insect would a t least ha ve the possibility of
escape during the night.

Phasmid Studi es. 6(1): 9