Page 9 - Berni_1997

A contribution to the history of Bacillus in Sicily

had never been recorded as inhabiting this area. The only record in the scientific literature
for the Anapo Valley seems to bave been in Bullini and Nascetti (1987), but this is for the
genus Clonopsis. Some specimens of B. whitei, collected for study, are a t present being kept
in captivity at room temperature and under natural photoperiod. Attempts are being made
to understand its capaciti es for adaptation and longevity in captivity. With respect to
foodplants for rearing, Scali ( 1991 : 403) suggests that a mixed di et of bramble and lentisk
could be the best solution for B. grandii. Other specimens of B. whitei were collected in a
bramble-bush in the suburbs of Palazzolo Acreide (province of Syracuse). During a further
excursion along the road between Canicattini Bagni (province of Syracuse) and the cross-road
for Palazzolo Acreide, some specimens of B. lynceorum were collected. This species is easily
recognizable thanks to its remarkable size (up to 105mm in length), the clear granulation of
its meso and metathorax, its stocky cerci and the typical notch at the distai end of its
subgenital plate. B. lynceorum is also exclusively endemie to the lblean region.

1
2c
t\
1
1

1
5
1
1

1 ). B. rossius redtenbacheri 3
2.). B. grandii grandii
2b). B. grandii bcnazzii 1 3 3 3
2c). B. grandii rnaretimi 4
1 3 3 4 2a
3). B. whitei 4 6 a 5
2
4). B. lynceorum 4 2.3
5). B. atticus caprai 3 5
6). B. rossius grandii grandii
7). B. rossius grandii benazzii

Figure 5. Distribution of Bacillus spp. in Sicily; after Montovani & Scali, as modified
by La Grece (1996a: 32).

The trip to the Iblean region carne to an end in western Sicily along the Trapani coast,
between the localities of San Vito Lo Capo and Scopello where B. grandii benazzii were
noted and in Marettimo (Egadi Islands) where B. grandii maretimi (see Figure 7), is found·.
During an excursion in Marettimo several green nymphs (at first and second instar) of B.
grandii maretimi were found on lentisk. These two sub-species, in fact, feed only on lentisk
(Pistacia lentiscus Linnaeus), in contrast with B. grandii grandii of the Iblean mountains
which feeds principally o n bramble (Rubus spp.) or plants of Rosa spp.

Studies and prospects
With regard to the Iblean region (see figure 8), the author plans for 1997 foresee a more
detailed study along the Anapo and Cassibile rivers in search for new habitats of B. whitei,

Phasmid Studies. 6(1): 7