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El-Hady, Rabab M., El-Hawagry, Magdi S.A., Soliman, Mustafa M. (2021): Diversity and temporal variations of the leafhopper fauna (Cicadellidae, Auchenorrhyncha, Hemiptera) in two ecological zones of Egypt. Journal of Natural History 54 (43-44): 2869-2887, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2021.1874560, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2021.1874560

A review of the family Ulidiidae in Egypt is given. Twelve species assigned to six genera, two tribes and two subfamilies are confirmed to occur in Egypt, namely Ceroxys urticae (Linnaeus), Herina paludum (Fallen), H. strigulosa Walker, Melieria nigritarsis Becker, M. omissa (Meigen) [subfamily Otitinae, tribe Otitini], Physiphora alceae Preyssler, P. elbae Steyskal, P. flavipes (Karsch), P. smaragdina Loew, Timia xanthaspis (Loew), Ulidia facialis Hendel and U. wadicola Steyskal [subfamily Ulidiinae, tribe Ulidiini]. An identification key for all taxa, in addition to diagnoses, ecological comments, illustrations of head, wings and genitalia, and photographs of habitus and genitalia are provided for the species.

Specimens of the feather-legged fly,Trichopoda pennipes(Fabricius) (Diptera: Tachinidae), which parasitize adults of the southern green stink bugNezara viridula(L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), have been detected in Giza, Egypt. This is the first record of this Nearctic species with its genus (Trichopoda) and its tribe (Gymnosomatini) in Egypt.T. pennipesis known as an endoparasitoid of many true bug hosts, the pests of various crops, and it could have a potentiality to control these pests in addition toN. viridula, which is known to be its principal host. Taxonomy and diagnosis of the detected parasitoid species in addition to a checklist of the subfamily Phasiinae in Egypt are provided. Colored photographs of the parasitoid larval and adult stages and parasitized host are provided as well.

The genus Anthrax Scopoli is a well-known genus of bee flies, with 16 species recorded from Egypt, out of about 250 species known worldwide. Six of these species seem to be endangered or threatened (at least in a part of their distribution range) as they disappeared from most of their Egyptian localities which faced severe changes in the floral and faunal composition during the last 50 years. These changes may be attributed to urbanization or modern agricultural activities that caused severe degradation of natural habitats of these species. Maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling was used to predict the potential climatic niches of these six Anthrax species, namely: Anthrax aethiops, Anthrax chionanthrax, Anthrax dentate, Anthrax melanista, Anthrax lucidus, and Anthrax trifasciatus. The Maxent model performed better than random for the six species, with an average test AUC value of 0.95 for A. aethiops bezzii, 0.83 for A. chionanthrax, and 0.98 for A. dentate, 0.86 for A. melanista, 0.96 for A. lucidus and 0.99 for A. trifasciatus. A set of four variables were selected for each species from 19 bioclimatic and 3 topographic variables, based on correlation analyses. The study showed that the current distributions of A. dentata, A. lucidus and A. trifasciatus were largely explained by the altitude, but A. chionanthrax and A. melanista were so far dominated by temperature, whereas on A. aethiops bezzii was strongly related to precipitation variables. St. Catherine protected area showed high habitat suitability for all species except A. lucidus. The suitable habitat for A. trifasciatus was restricted to this protected area, however, future scenarios of climatic changes through the area predict a great degradation in habitat suitability for this species. These results can be used for making powerful conservation management decisions in St. Catherine Protectorate to incorporate these Anthrax spp. in any present or future conservation programs.

Psylloids cause severe damages to their host plants and transmit serious plant diseases for several crops in different parts of the world. The species composition and geographical distribution of psylloids in Egypt were assessed. The abundance of Heterotrioza chenopodii (Reuter, 1876) on various host plants in different ecological zones and their monthly abundance in Wadi El-Natroun were monitored throughout three successive seasons. We used a sweep net and a mechanical aspirator to survey populations of Psylloidea species from 2014 to 2017. Twenty-six psylloid species belong to four families were recorded from six geographical zones. H. chenopodii was the most widely distributed psylloid species in Egypt. The total number of species collected per zone ranged from a minimum of two at Fayoum Basin (FB) to a maximum of 15 at Lower Nile Valley and Delta (LNVD). The highest number of psylloid species were sampled from the host plant Tamarix sp. (6 species) followed by Zygophyllum sp. (5 species). The negative binomial regression analysis showed that the abundance of H. chenopodii is more dependent on host plants (χ2 = 61.5, P < 0.001) than ecological zones (χ2 = 11.9, P = 0.018). Density of H. chenopodii in Wadi El-Natroun showed a bimodal seasonal pattern with two peaks of adult abundance: spring (April) and late autumn (December). Moreover, we recorded a drop in the psylloid densities during hot (summer) and cold (winter) seasons. Additional ecological and taxonomic studies on Psylloidea are needed to conduct integrated pest management against species with economic and pharmaceutical interests.

BackgroundThe phorid flyMegaselia scalaris(Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) is an omnivorous species, capable of exploring a large variety of environments and ecological niches. It is known as an important detritivore species with maggots feeding on a variety of food of both animal and plant origin.ResultsThe present study reportsM. scalarisas an endoparasitoid attacking colonies of the southern green stink bugNezara viridula(L.) for the first time. This case of parasitism was observed inside rearing cages ofN. viridulaat the Plant Protection Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt in August 2020. We firstly identified adult individuals ofM. scalariswhich were found moving erratically within the cages using relevant identification keys. To verify thatN. viridulaindividuals are parasitized by the same parasitoid and they are not infected with other parasitoids, some of the parasitized bugs were transferred to a separate cage at the same laboratory conditions and the developmental stages of the dipteran parasitoid were observed until the adult emergence.ConclusionThe present investigation revealed thatM. scalariscould be included to the recorded parasitoid species ofN. viridula, and further studies should be carried out to assess the efficacy of this fly as a biocontrol agent.

Background The present study is one in a series of planned studies aiming to catalogue the whole order Diptera in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. New information All known Egyptian and Saudi Arabian conopid taxa are systematically catalogued in the present study. Three species are recorded herein for the first time from Saudi Arabia: Conops (Asiconops) elegans Meigen, 1804 and Thecophora atra (Fabricius, 1775) (Al-Baha region, south-western of Saudi Arabia), and Conops (Conops) quadrifasciatus De Geer, 1776 (Tabuk region, north-western of Saudi Arabia). Physocephala variegata (Meigen, 1924) is also recorded for the first time from Gebel Elba, the south-eastern triangle of Egypt. Considering that Gebel Elba in Egypt and Al-Baha in Saudi Arabia are affiliated to the Afrotropical Region, this is the first time Physocephala variegata and Thecophora atra have been recorded from the Afrotropical Region. An updated taxonomy, world and local distributions, dates of collection and some coloured photographs are provided.

Urbanisation and its effects is one of the biggest and most critical environmental issues facing the world. In the present study, we evaluate the impact of urbanisation on the picture-winged flies (family Ulidiidae) communities in Wadi El-Natroun Depression, by assessing the changes in abundance and diversity. Six sites, each measuring about 2.1 ha, were determined: three sites (A1, A2, A3) are in an open area out of the city, and three sites (B1, B2, B3) are on the periphery of the city surrounded by inhabited buildings and assumed to suffer from anthropogenic activities (urbanised sites). The fly sampling was conducted monthly from January to December 2015 using sweep nets. Total abundance and species diversity of ulidiids in open sites were significantly higher than in urbanised sites. A similar population trend was recorded for Physiphora alceae (Preyssler) and Physiphora smaragdina (Loew). These species appear in early spring and increase gradually but were almost eliminated by the beginning of the fall. A bimodal seasonal profile was observed with two peaks of Ulidia fascialis Hendel density: April and July. The correlation between species abundance and temperature was positive, but it was only significant with P. alceae in the urbanised area and with P. smaragdina in the open area. In contrast, an inverse correlation was recorded between species abundance and relative humidity; however, it was only significant with P. alceae in open and urbanised areas. A scatter plot generated from a principal component analysis (PCA) of species abundance showed a clear grouping of the study sites based on whether they were open or urbanised. The results of the present study showed that the picture-winged flies were directly affected by the habitat changes related to urbanisation. Both species abundance and diversity were dramatically reduced in the urbanised area. Consequently, these flies could be potential habitat quality indicators.

All known taxa of the family Oestridae (superfamily Oestroidea) in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia are systematically catalogued herein. Three oestrid subfamilies have been recorded in Saudi Arabia and/or Egypt by six genera:Gasterophilus(Gasterophilinae),Hypoderma,Przhevalskiana(Hypodermatinae),Cephalopina,Oestrus, andRhinoestrus(Oestrinae). FiveGasterophilusspp. have been recorded in Egypt, namely,G. haemorrhoidalis(Linnaeus),G. intestinalis(De Geer),G. nasalis(Linnaeus),G. nigricornis(Loew), andG. pecorum(Fabricius). Only two of these species have also been recorded in Saudi Arabia, namely:G. intestinalis(De Geer) andG. nasalis(Linnaeus). The subfamily Hypodermatinae is represented in the two countries by only four species in two genera, namely,H. bovis(Linnaeus) andH. desertorumBrauer (in Egypt only), andH. lineatum(Villers) (in Saudi Arabia only) andPrzhevalskiana silenus(Brauer) (in both countries). The subfamily Oestrinae is represented by two widely distributed species in both countries, namely,C. titillator(Clark) andO. ovis(L.), in addition to another species represented in Egypt only,R. purpureus(Brauer). For each species, synonymies, type localities, distribution, Egyptian and Saudi Arabian localities with coordinates, and collection dates are presented.

This study presents three genera and 10 species of flies (order: Diptera) as new country records from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The flies were identified from Rawdhat Khorim National Park ...

Background This study is one in a series of planned studies on different Egyptian dipteran taxa aiming to catalogue the whole order in Egypt. New information All known Egyptian taxa of the family Ceratopogonidae (biting midges) are systematically catalogued. A total number of 64 species belonging to 11 genera, four tribes and four subfamilies has been treated. Data for this study have been compiled from both available literature and specimens collected from different Egyptian localities by the authors. An updated classification, synonymies, type localities, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities and dates of collection are provided comprising some new locality records. The study treats all previous inaccuracies in the classification of the family in Egypt.

The Sarcophaga spp. available whether through the field collections from different Egyptian localities and/or through the material preserved in the main Egyptian insect collections are keyed in the present study. One new species, S. mennae sp. n., is described, and two new species records for Egypt, S. parkeri (Rohdendorf, 1937) and S. marshalli Parker, 1923 are discovered. A key to nine subgenera and 21 out of 27 species representing the genus Sarcophaga in Egypt is provided based primarily on male genitalia. Photographs and illustrations of treated species are included.

We present a catalogue of all known taxa of the superfamily Ephydroidea in Egypt. Old World synonymies, type localities, type depositories, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities and dates of collection are provided. A total number of 117 species belonging to 45 genera, 18 tribes, 7 subfamilies, and representing 3 families has been catalogued. The treated families are: Ephydridae (shore flies or brine flies), Drosophilidae (vinegar flies or fruit flies) and Braulidae (bee lice). One shore fly species, Psilopa clara (Wollaston, 1858), is recorded for the first time from Egypt. Two new synonyms of shore flies are proposed, namely: Philotelma ulianai Raffone, 2011 = Ephydra (Ephydra) macellaria Egger, 1862 and Notiphila rufitarsis Macquart, 1851 = Allotrichoma biroi Cresson, 1929. Lectotypes are designated for three shore fly species, namely: Psilopa pectinata Hendel, 1931; Rhynchopsilopa nitidissima Hendel, 1931 and Notiphila rufitarsis Macquart, 1851.

Egyptian and Saudi Arabian Thyridanthrax spp. collected in field trips or preserved in the Efflatoun’s insect collection in Cairo University were taxonomically studied. One new species, T. elegansoides sp. nov., is herein described, and two species, T. decipulus (Austen) and T. polyphemus (Wiedemann), are newly recorded from Egypt. Ten species are treated: one species from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, T. anomalus Greathead; two species from Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, T. decipulus (Austen) and T. perspicillaris (Loew); and seven species from Egypt: T. elegans (Wiedemann), T. elegansoides sp. nov., T. griseolus (Klug), T. incanus (Klug), T. lotus (Loew), T. obliteratus (Loew), and T. polyphemus (Wiedemann). Taxonomic comments, an identification key to species, diagnoses, and photographs of some species and genitalia are provided. Based on wing morphology and male genitalic characters, T. lotus clearly does not fit in the genus Thyridanthrax, and may need to be placed elsewhere, nevertheless it is not clear whether it can be included in any of the other currently recognized genera in the tribe Villini. It is here kept in Thyridanthrax until a more rigorous study can be conducted to better ascertain its position in the Villini.

All known Egyptian taxa of the family Syrphidae (flower flies or hover flies) are systematically catalogued. A total number of 51 species belonging to 22 genera, 7 tribes and 2 subfamilies has been treated, including eight species that are listed as unconfirmed records from Egypt. Data for this study have been compiled from both available literature and specimens collected from different Egyptian localities by the authors or preserved in the main Egyptian insect collections. Old World synonymies, type localities, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities and activity periods are provided. Remarks on habitat, habits and biology of particular species are provided as well. Two species, Melanostoma scalare (Fabricius) and Eristalis arbustorum (Linnaeus) are recorded for the first time from Egypt.

Oestroidea is a diverse superfamily of flies with a variety of feeding habits, mostly saprophages (e.g., majority of species of the genus Sarcophaga, Sarcophagidae), internal parasites of mammals (e.g., Oestridae), parasitoids (e.g., the genus Blaesoxipha, Sarcophagidae; the genus Pollenia, Calliphoridae), and predators (e.g., the genus Stomorhina, Rhiniidae). In the present study, an updated catalog of the superfamily Oestroidea recorded from Egypt is presented. The catalog covers the following families: Calliphoridae, Rhiniidae, and Sarcophagidae. A total of 126 oestroid species belonging to 31 genera, 7 subfamilies, and 3 families are treated. The treated families are Calliphoridae (8 species representing 5 genera), Rhiniidae (10 species representing 3 genera), and Sarcophagidae (108 species representing 23 genera). Synonymies, type localities, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities, and dates of collection for all treated species are provided.

The Diptera family Ulidiidae or picture-winged flies known from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are reviewed. Six species in three genera are recognised, Ceroxys confusa (Becker), C. urticae (Linnaeus), Melieria nigritarsis Becker, M. omissa (Meigen) [Otitinae], Physiphora alceae (Preyssler), and P. smaragdina (Loew) [Ulidiinae]. Only M. nigritarsis and P. alceae were previously recorded from the Kingdom. The other four species, C. confusa, C. urticae, M. omissa, and P. smaragdina represent new country records. Additionally, the above records of Ceroxys are new for the Arabian Peninsula. Physiphora smaragdina (Loew) is known for most of Africa except SouthAfrica. This is the third time this species is recorded outsideAfrica in addition to Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The Saudi Arabian genera and species are keyed and images are provided to facilitate identification.

The first list of insects (Arthropoda: Hexapoda) of Al-Baha Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was published in 2013 and contained a total of 582 species. In the present study, 142 species belonging to 51 families and representing seven orders are added to the fauna of Al-Baha Province, bringing the total number of species now recorded from the province to 724. The reported species are assigned to recognized regional zoogeographical regions. Seventeen of the species are recorded for the first time for KSA, namely: Platypleura arabica Myers [Cicadidae, Hemiptera]; Cletomorpha sp.; Gonocerus juniperi Herrich-Schaffer [Coreidae, Hemiptera]; Coranus lateritius (Stal); Rhynocoris bipustulatus (Fieber) [Reduviidae, Hemiptera]; Cantacader iranicus Lis; Dictyla poecilla Drake & Hill [Tingidae, Hemiptera]; Mantispa scabricollis McLachlan [Mantispidae, Neuroptera]; Cerocoma schreberi Fabricius [Meloidae, Coleoptera]; Platypus parallelus (Fabricius) [Curculionidae, Coleoptera]; Zodion cinereum (Fabriciu...

The characters of the genus Pachyanthrax have been applied to the Egyptian species that placed under the genera of Villa group in the main Egyptian insect collections especially the genus Thyridanthrax sensu Bezzi. Six Pachyanthrax spp. are here determined to be represented in Egypt: Pachyanthrax albosegmentataus (Engel, 1936), Pachyanthrax amri sp. nov., Pachyanthrax circe (Klug, 1832), Pachyanthrax mogyi sp. nov., Pachyanthrax nomadorum (Greathead, 1970) [new country record], and Pachyanthrax tabaninus (Bezzi, 1925) comb. nov. Species previously misidentified as Villa albifacies (Macquart, 1840) by Engel are here found to be the same as P. nomadorum. A key to species, diagnoses, and photographs of some species and genitalia are provided.

All known Egyptian taxa of the superfamily Tephritoidea are systematically catalogued. Synonymies, type localities, type depositories, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities and dates of collection for Egyptian tephritoid species are provided. The known Egyptian host plants of phytophagous species are listed. A total number of 86 tephritoid species belonging to 48 genera, 15 tribes, 9 subfamilies, and repre-senting 6 families has been catalogued. The treated families are: Lonchaeidae (lance flies), Piophilidae (skippers), Platystomatidae (signal flies), Pyrgotidae (pyrgotid flies), Tephritidae (fruit flies) and Ulidiidae (picture–winged flies).

Antonia gabalensis El-Hawagry, 2009 is hereby synonymized with Antonia fedtschenkoi Loew, 1873. Two homeotypes of A. fedtschenkoi and the primary types of A. gabalensis have been examined and found conspecific. Synonyms, diagnoses and photographs of dorsal habitus and male genitalia of the Egyptian species of Antonia are presented.

A preliminary list of Diptera (Insecta) in Garf Raydah Nature Reserve (GRNR), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with remarks on their zoogeographic affinities is presented. This is the first in a series of planned faunal studies on different insect orders as an output of a project proposed to study the entire entomofauna of GRNR. A total number of 177 Diptera species belonging to 130 genera, representing 38 families has been listed. Some species have been identified only to genus and listed herein as genera that were not previously recorded from KSA or of a taxonomic or faunal importance. The list records five families, 11 genera and 31 species for the first time in KSA, namely: the families Acroceridae, Asteiidae, Chamaemyiidae, Heleomyzidae and Pipunculidae; the genera Acrocera (Acroceridae), Eremisca (Asilidae), Asteia (Asteiidae), Chamaemyia sp. (Chamaemyiidae), Ochthera (Ephydridae), Physoconops (Conopidae), Pseudoleria (Heleo-myzidae), Salentia (Therevidae), Sapromyza (Lauxaniidae), Sternobrithe...

The family Eucharitidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) is recorded for the first time for the fauna of Saudi Arabia based on Hydrorhoa caffra (Westwood) and Eucharis (Psilogastrellus) affinis Bouček. The record of Hydrorhoa caffra suggests that Al-Baha and Asir provinces should be considered as part of the Afrotropical rather than the Palaearctic region. The previously unknown male of Eucharis affinis Bouček is described and figured. Macrophotographs of the species are provided.

The family Aphalaridae in Egypt is revised. Eight species in five genera and two subfamilies are treated, namely Blastopsylla occidentalisTaylor, 1985 (Spondyliaspidinae), Brachystetha nitrariaeLoginova, 1964, Caillardia dilatataLoginova, 1978, Colposcenia aliena (Low, 1881), Colposcenia elegans (De Bergevin, 1932), Colposcenia tamaricis (Puton, 1871), Crastina heslopharisonii (Samy, 1972), and Crastina linnavuoriiLoginova, 1974 (Aphalarinae). The genus BrachystethaLoginova, 1964 is recorded here for the first time in Egypt with a single species Brachystetha nitrariaeLoginova, 1964, recently collected from Hurghada (Red Sea Governorate). An illustrated key to the Egyptian genera, and diagnoses for the recorded taxa are also given.

The family Pipunculidae has a potential value for biological pest control, as most pipunculid species are endoparasitoids of the hemipteran suborder Auchenorrhyncha. In the present study, all known Egyptian taxa of the family Pipunculidae (big-headed flies) are systematically catalogued. Old World synonymies, type localities, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities and dates of collection are provided. A total number of 24 species belonging to four genera and two tribes has been catalogued.

The distributions of 229 beefly (Diptera: Bombyliidae) species across the eight Egyptian ecological zones, together with their faunal affinities to the main zoogeographical regions, were used to test the suggestion of Holt et al. (2013) that the SaharoArabian is a distinct region rather than a subregion of the Palaearctic. All Egyptian ecological zones but one have greater affiliation to the Palaearctic and SaharoArabian than to the Afrotropical region; the Gebel Elba ecological zone, the southeastern triangle of Egypt, has greater affinities with the Afrotropics. Affinities to the Saharo-Arabian region were not different from those to the Palaearctic. From its bombyliid fauna, therefore, the Saharo-Arabian region is so closely allied to the Palaearctic as to constitute merely a subregion of it. Sinai shows a high level of endemism reflecting its isolation from other parts of Egypt.

The ant subfamily Aenictinae is recorded for the first time from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and for the second time from the Arabian Peninsula. A new species Aenictus arabicus sp. n., is described from the worker caste. Aenictus arabicus belongs to the A. wroughtonii-group and appears to be most closely related to A. rhodiensis Menozzi, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by the following characters: overall smaller size; cephalic index (head width/head length) small; occipital corners in lateral view rounded; antennal scape when laid back surpassing approximately two- thirds of head length; funicular segments 2–8 each at least 2× as long as broad; subpetiolar process well developed; petiole and postpetiole distinctly imbricate; gaster and clypeus entirely yellow, teeth of mandibles reddish- brown. Aenictus arabicus was collected from leaf litter, next to a tree of Psidium guajava L. The new species also is similar to A. sagei andA. wroughtonii. Affinities and a key to related species of the species group are given.

Tapinoma wilsoni sp. n. is described and illustrated from Saudi Arabia based on the worker caste collected from Al Baha, Saudi Arabia. It closely resembles Tapinoma lugubre Santschi 1917, from Zimbabwe in body measurements but can be distinguished from the latter species by the yellowish brown color; the yellowish pubescence, the two pairs of hairs present on the anterior part of the head; and the distinctly concave anterior clypeal margin. Biological and ecological notes of the new species are presented. An identification key to the workers of the Arabian species of the genus Tapinoma is given.

A review of the tribe Aphoebantini Becker from Egypt is given. The study recorded five species under two genera, one of the species (Cononedys bilobatoides spec. nov) is described and illustrated as new. Three of the four remaining species were originally described from Egypt by Bezzi (1925), namely: Aphoebantus wadensis Bezzi, Aphoebantus dichromatopa Bezzi, and Aphoebantus efflatouni Bezzi. Lectotypes and paralectotypes for these species are designated herein. The fifth species (Aphoebantus escheri Bezzi, 1908) was described from Algeria, and recorded only in Algeria and Egypt. A key to the genera and species of Aphoebantini, is provided.

Antonia gabalensis El-Hawagry, 2009 is hereby synonymized with Antonia fedtschenkoi Loew, 1873. Two homeotypes of A. fedtschenkoi and the primary types of A. gabalensis have been examined and found conspecific. Synonyms, diagnoses and photographs of dorsal habitus and male genitalia of the Egyptian species of Antonia are presented.

This new species (Phthiria sharafi sp. nov.) represents the first record of the subfamily Phthiriinae (Bombyliidae, Diptera) from Saudi Arabia. The species was collected from Garf Raydah Protected Area, Abha, Asir Province, south-western part of Saudi Arabia, using a Malaise trap erected in a site rich in olive, cactus and Juniper trees. The type locality has an Afrotropical influence, with the Afrotropical elements predominant, and a closer affiliation to the Afrotropical region than to the Palearctic region or the Eremic zone.

A preliminary study was carried out on the insect fauna of Al-Baha Province, south-western part of Saudi Arabia. A total number of 582 species and subspecies (few identified only to the genus level) belonging to 129 families and representing 17 orders were recorded. Two of these species are described as new, namely: Monomorium sarawatensis Sharaf & Aldawood sp. n. [Formicidae, Hymenoptera] and Anthrax alruqibi El-Hawagry sp. n. [Bombyliidae, Diptera]. Another eight species are recorded for the first time in Saudi Arabia, namely: Xiphoceriana arabica (Uvarov, 1922) [Pamphagidae, Orthoptera], Pyrgomorpha conica (Olivier, 1791) [Pyrgomorphidae, Orthoptera], Catopsilia florella (Fabricius, 1775) [Pieridae, Lepidoptera], Anthrax chionanthrax (Bezzi, 1926) [Bombyliidae, Diptera], Spogostylum near tripunctatum Pallas in Wiedemann, 1818 [Bombyliidae, Diptera], Cononedys dichromatopa (Bezzi, 1925) [Bombyliidae, Diptera], Mydas sp. [Mydidae, Diptera], and Hippobosca equina Linnaeus, 1758 [Hippoboscidae, Diptera]. Al-Baha Province is divided by huge and steep Rocky Mountains into two main sectors, a lowland coastal plain at the west, known as “Tihama”, and a mountainous area with an elevation of 1500 to 2450 m above sea level at the east, known as “Al-Sarat or Al-Sarah” which form a part of Al-Sarawat Mountains range. Insect species richness in the two sectors (Tihama and Al-Sarah) was compared, and the results showed that each of the two sectors of Al-Baha Province has a unique insect community. The study generally concluded that the insect faunal composition in Al-Baha Province has an Afrotropical flavor, with the Afrotropical elements predominant, and a closer affiliation to the Afrotropical region than to the Palearctic region or the Eremic zone. Consequently, we tend to agree with those biogeographers who consider that parts of the Arabian Peninsula, including Al-Baha Province, should be included in the Afrotropical region rather than in the Palaearctic region or the Eremic zone.

In the present study, five Defilippia species are shown to be represented in Egypt. Two species, D. efflatouni (Bezzi) and D. minos (Meigen), were already included in Defilippia; two species, D. decrepita (Wiedemann), comb. nov., and D. pharaonis (Paramonov), comb. nov., are newly combined to Defilippia; and a new species, D. elbayensis, sp. nov., is described herein. Homeotypes of Exoprosopa flava Paramonov, 1928 and Defilippia decrepita (Wiedemann, 1828), comb. nov. have been examined and it was found that the two species are not synonymous and Exoprosopa flava Paramonov, 1928, stat. rev. is rather a distinct valid species in its original genus Exoprosopa. A neotype for D. pharaonis (Paramonov, 1928) is designated.

This new species (Phthiria sharafi sp. nov.) represents the first record of the subfamily Phthiriinae (Bombyliidae, Diptera) from Saudi Arabia. The species was collected from Garf Raydah Protected Area, Abha, Asir Province, south-western part of Saudi Arabia, using a Malaise trap erected in a site rich in olive, cactus and Juniper trees. The type locality has an Afrotropical influence, with the Afrotropical elements predominant, and a closer affiliation to the Afrotropical region than to the Palearctic region or the Eremic zone.

A review of the genus Villa Lioy in Egypt was carried out. Seven species were found, two of them are described as new, namely: V. efflatouni sp. nov. and V. stenozoides sp. nov.; V. aegyptiaca Engel is raised to species level (stat. nov.) and a lectotype designated; and V. bivirgata Austen and V. paniscoides Bezzi are recorded for the first time from Egypt. Another two species, V. cana (Meigen) and V. micrargyra (Walker) were previously recorded in Egypt. The study of type specimens showed that V. senecio (Loew), wrongly recorded from Egypt, is a synonym of V. ixion (Fabricius) syn. nov. A key, diagnoses, and illustrations of genitalia and wings of some species are provided.

Three new anthracine species of Bombyliidae are described. Two of these species (Anthrax galali El-Hawagry, sp. nov. and Anthrax zohrayensis El-Hawagry, sp. nov.) were proposed by Efflatoun Bey in his unpublished manuscript in the genus Anthrax Scopoli (sensu lato). These species names are maintained but the descriptions are shortened and revised. A third species, not included in Efflatoun unpublished manuscript, Spogostylum hamadnallahi El-Hawagry, sp. nov., is herein described and illustrated.