Contribution to the knowledge of Hymenoptera from the Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily), emphasizing Aculeata

Abstract

This study provides the first contribution to the knowledge of the Order Hymenoptera, empha-sizing Aculeata, for the Aeolian archipelago, based on recent field investigations and examinationof several collections. A total of 169 species belonging to 19 families are recorded: Evaniidae (1species), Aulacidae (2 species), Gasteruptiidae (3 species), Ichneumonidae (1 species), Leucosp-idae (1 species), Chrysididae (8 species), Tiphiidae (3 species), Scoliidae (6 species), Mutillidae(13 species), Pompilidae (6 species), Vespidae (14 species), Sphecidae (6 species), Crabronidae(24 species), Formicidae (14 species), Colletidae (4 species), Andrenidae (8 species), Halictidae(29 species), Megachilidae (12 species), Apidae (14 species). Most part of species are newlyrecorded for the Aeolian Archipelago, the following being new records for Sicily: Dryudella es-terinae Pagliano, 2001, Nysson quadriguttatus Spinola, 1808, Miscophus aetoni Saunders, 1903,Miscophus lusitanicus Andrade, 1952, Cerceris circularis dacica Schletterer, 1887 (Crabronidae),and Lasioglossum (Dialictus) semilucens (Alfken, 1914) (Halictidae); Miscophus lusitanicus is also newly recorded for Italy. Combining the available data, a total of 218 species of Hymenopteraare currently known for the Aeolian Archipelago. The Hymenoptera fauna of these islands isdominated by widespread Mediterranean or West Palaearctic species, and most of them are alsofound in the Western Mediterranean Basin. The study briefly highlights some key points regardingbiogeographical and conservation of this group and its significant role in the management ofecosystems in the Aeolian Archipelago.