Aphrophora alni (Fallén, 1805)

(Figs 3, 12 a–b, 22)

Cercopis alni Fallén, 1805:240 .

Aphrophoria alni (Fallén, 1805): Dlabola (1981): 21; Modarres Awal (1994): 84; Mirzayans (1995): 19; Abaii (2000): 15.

Material examined. Alborz: Bareghan, 1470m, 3.ix.1996, leg. Badii/ Barari/ Sarafrazi, 1♂, 1♀ (HMIM). Ardabil: Khalkhal, 1600m, 2.vii.1998, leg. Mofdi, 1♀ (HMIM); Khalkhal-Givi Rd, viii. 1966, 1 ♂, leg. Linnavuori (NMWC). Azarbaiejan-e Sharghi: Gharehchaman, vii.2004, 1 ♂, leg. Linnavuori (NMWC); Youzband, 1500m, 4.vii.1997, leg. Barari/ Mofidi, 1♂ (HMIM). Gilan: 15 km Hashtpar, 570m, 31.vi.1975, Mirzayans, 1♀ (HMIM); 15 km Pissasson, 220m, 30.ix.1975, leg. Mirzayans, 4♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Khasekhani, 1250m, 2.viii.1999, leg. Ebrahimi/ Badii/ Mofidi, 1♂, 6♀ (HMIM); Kom, 150 m, 4.viii.1975, leg. Mirzayans, 1♂, 4♀ (HMIM); Lounak, vi.1995, 6 ♂, 1♀, leg. Linnavuori (NMWC); Masuleh, 1400m, 12.viii.1991, leg. Hashemi/ Parchami, 1♀ (HMIM); Masuleh, vii.1997, viii.2001, viii. 2001, 22 ♂, 18♀, leg. Linnavuori (NMWC); Parehsar, 750m, 13.viii.1974, leg. Mirzayans, 2♂, (HMIM); Parehsar, 950 m, 14.viii.1974, leg. Mirzayans/ Abaii, 8♂, 15♀, (HMIM); Pissasson, 1300m, 15–16.viii.1980, leg. Pazuki/ Borumand, 6♂, 2♀ (HMIM); Rahimabad, 1.viii.2007, leg. Farashyani/ Farsi, 1♀ (HMIM); Rahimabad, 620m, 26.vi.2003, leg. Moghaddam/ Naserzadeh, 1♀ (HMIM); Rasht, 29.viii.2001, leg. Manzari/ Mofidi, 1♂ (HMIM); Saravan, ix.2000, 2 ♀, leg. Linnavuori (NMWC); Shandol, 950m, 9.viii.1974, leg. Mirzayans/ Farahbakhsh, 2♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Sheikhmahalleh, 160m, 28–30.vi.1977, leg. Pazuki/ Mortazaviha, 1♀ (HMIM); Tutki Vil., 22.vii.2010, 1♂ (HMIM). Golestan: Jameshuran, 1250m, 22.vi.1995, leg. Mirzayans/ Badii/ Sarafrazi, 2♂, 1♀ (HMIM). Khorasan-e Shomali: Golestan park, 150 km W. Bojnurd, vii.2007, 1 ♂, 2♀, leg. Linnavuori (NMWC). Mazandaran: Kadisar, 1200m, 1.vii.2000, leg. Mofidi/ Barar/ Deuve, 1♂ (HMIM); Pol-e Sefid, 1600m, 27–28.ix.1994, leg. Mirzayans/ Badii/ Ebrahimi, 2♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Ashmahalleh, 760m, 7.ix.1990, leg. Ebrahimi/ Badii, 1♀ (HMIM); Sehezar, 980m, 22.vi.1998, leg. Mofidi, 6♀ (HMIM); NE Alborz mt, 670m, leg. Zahiri/ Falsafi, 1♀ (HMIM); Mazuchal, 1800m, 2–3.vii.2000, leg. Barari/ Mofidi/ Ebrahimi/ Deuve, 2♂ (HMIM); Lafora, 250m, 23.v.2005, leg. Naserzadeh/ Serri, 1♂, 4♀ (HMIM).

Distribution and habitat. From the literature (Melichar 1902; Dlabola 1958, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1981; Nast 1972) and the collecting data of the specimens examined the species has been found between the elevation 150m to 1600m, on Alnus, Salix, mixed plants near water and under the deciduous plants and the larvae have been collected on ground plants such as Trifolium, Gypericum, Srigeron, Hieracium and Taraxacum . The species was recorded as a pest on Alnus (Abaii 2000; Modarres Awal 1994). The species is also known as a potential vector for the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (European Food Safety Authority 2013).

The species is known to be a common species with an Arboreal-transpalaearctic distribution, but rare in xerothermic areas. Aphrophora alni is recorded from Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia, Iran (North, fig. 22), Central, Northern and Western Asia.