Scale insects of the central Zagros region in Iran (Hemiptera: Coccoidea)

A total of 48 scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) are recorded in the central Zagros region (Ilam, Lorestan, Kermanshah and Hamadan provinces). The species belong to 33 genera and 10 families Asterolecaniidae, Cerococcidae, Coccidae, Diaspididae, Eriococcidae, Margarodidae, Kermesidae, Ortheziidae, Phoenicococcidae and Pseudococcidae. Three species Duplachionaspis noaeae (Hall) (Diaspididae), Rhizopulvinaria turkestanica (Archangelskaya) (Coccidae) and Gueriniella serratulae (Fabricius) (Margarodidae) are first recorded for the Iranian fauna. 39 species occur on the forest trees and pastures and 14 species attack on the orchards and crops. The distribution of the identified species is shown that 13 species are restricted to Irano-Turanian region, of which 10 species are found only in the Zagros region. No purely Mediterranean species are so far recorded, but 11 species belonging to a Mediterranian/ Irano-Turanian regions; and 4 scale insect species are restricted in Saharo-Sindian region.