First confirmed records of fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) associated with the Sycamore Fig Ficus sycomorus on a Mediterranean Island

Abstract

The Sycamore Fig and two of its associated fig wasps, Sycophaga sycomori (L.) and Apocrypta longitarsus Mayr, were introduced to the southern shores of the Mediterranean thousands of years ago. Here we record that these species are also present in Limassol, Cyprus. These are the first confirmed records for either species from the islands of the Mediterranean. Three extra-European Ficus species, in addition to the Edible Fig, are now known to support fig wasps in Cyprus.