Biodiversity Data Journal : Taxonomy & Inventories
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Taxonomy & Inventories
Twenty-five-year mapping species of the superfamily Cercopoidea (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha) in Bulgaria
expand article infoRadost Angelova‡, Ilia Gjonov‡
‡ Sofia University, Faculty of Biology, Sofia, Bulgaria
Corresponding author: Ilia Gjonov (gjonov@cicadina.com)
Academic editor: J. Adilson Pinedo-Escatel
Received: 04 Apr 2024 | Accepted: 21 May 2024 | Published: 04 Jun 2024
© 2024 Radost Angelova, Ilia Gjonov
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Angelova R, Gjonov I (2024) Twenty-five-year mapping species of the superfamily Cercopoidea (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha) in Bulgaria. Biodiversity Data Journal 12: e124720. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e124720
 Open Access

Abstract

Background

In Bulgaria, the superfamily Cercopoidea consists of 18 species in two families - Aphrophoridae and Cercopidae. Of these, 13 species of Aphrophoridae belong to the genera Philaenus, Neophilaenus, Aphrophora and Lepyronia and five species of Cercopidae are in Cercopis and Haematoloma. Over a period of 25 years of extensive research on the species of the superfamily in the country, a large amount of geo-referenced data has been collected on 17 of the species, which has significantly increased knowledge of their biogeography.

New information

The paper presents a dataset of the materials of the superfamily Cercopoidea deposited in the Zoological Collection of the University of Sofia (BFUS). The specimens were collected from 888 localities in Bulgaria over a period of 25 years (1997 to 2022). The Cercopoidea collection comprises 8722 specimens grouped into 6670 collection objects.

The text provides data for each species, including a distribution map, regional literature taxon names and identifiers from eight taxonomic infrastructures (GBIF, BOLD, OpenBiodiv, BHL, COL, Plazi, EOL and TaxonWorks). It also includes data from literature and new records, phenology and altitudinal distribution in Bulgaria, as well as known host plants. Live photographs are provided for all species. A nanopublication presents the establishment of a new host plant, Asphodeline lutea (L.) Rchb., for the species Philaenus signatus Melichar, 1896.

Keywords

Aphrophoridae, Cercopidae, biogeography, the Balkans, occurrence dataset

Introduction

The superfamily Cercopoidea (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha), commonly known as spittlebugs, feed on xylem sap from a variety of plant hosts. Although some are monophagous throughout their lives or only in the nymphal stage, others are known to be very broadly polyphagous as Philaenus spumarius (L.) is known to be the most polyphagous phytophage (Thompson et al. 2023). Their colloquial name derives from the distinctive developmental pattern in their nymphal stages, which is characterised by the production of froth or "spittle", presumably as a protective covering. This foam, which is unique to insect nymphs, is produced when nymphs expel excess fluid mixed with products from the Malpighian tubes and possibly the abdominal epidermal Batelli glands through their anal opening while drawing in air, resulting in a foamy emulsion (Weaver and King 1954, Rakitov 2002). During the entire pre-imaginal stage, the froth maintains a moist consistency, resembling spittle deposited upon the foliage (Weaver and King 1954).

Globally, the superfamily Cercopoidea consists of six extant families: Aphrophoridae Amyot & Serville, 1843, Cercopidae Leach, 1815, Clastopteridae Dohrn, 1859, Epipygidae Hamilton, 2001, Machaerotidae Stål, 1866 and Ischnorhinidae Schmidt, 1920. These families comprise 2936 recognised species in 374 genera, with new taxa still being discovered (Soulier-Perkins 2019, Dmitriev et al. 2022, Crispolon et al. 2023).

Bulgaria has a documented diversity of 17 species within this superfamily (Nedjalkov 1908, Joakimov 1909, Lindberg 1949, Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964, Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967, Pelov 1968, Bajrjamova 1970, Bajrjamova 1972, Bayryamova 1976, Bairamova 1978, Bajrjamova 1984, Bajrjamova 1988, Bajrjamova 1990, Gjonov 2004, Angelova and Gjonov 2022). Notably, Aphrophoridae is represented by four genera (Philaenus, Neophilaenus, Aphrophora and Lepyronia) and 12 species, while Cercopidae includes two genera (Cercopis and Haematoloma) and five species. However, the presence of Haematoloma dorsatum (Ahrens, 1812) in Bulgaria is uncertain, as it has only been mentioned in Nast (1987) without a specific location.

The objective of this study is to present the results of a 25-year (1997 to 2022) sampling of Cercopoidea species in Bulgaria. The data presented in this study serve as a comprehensive reference for future research and monitoring. The dataset is published in GBIF and is open access, compliant with FAIR principles.

Materials and methods

The materials used in this study consist of 8722 specimens, which are organised into 6670 collection objects, each with a unique identification number. These specimens were collected from 888 localities in Bulgaria between 1997 and 2022 and are deposited in the Zoological Collection of the University of Sofia (BFUS). They were sampled by the authors in a variety of locations across the country, with varying levels of intensity and effort. Some localities were visited on multiple occasions.

The specimens were collected using a sweeping net and subsequently extracted with an aspirator. Ethyl acetate vapour was used to kill the specimens. To preserve them for long-term storage, they were placed on layers of cotton. The majority of the specimens were pinned on to glue boards. In cases where there were too many, they were separated by sex, counted and placed in entomological pin-mounted gelatin capsules and polypropylene tubes. The genital apparatus of the male specimens was dissected to observe their identifying characteristics. The material was identified by referring to the latest literature (Drosopoulos and Asche 2000, Drosopoulos and Remane 2000, Drosopoulos 2003, Biedermann and Niedringhaus 2009) and databased using Specify 7 Collection software. The software generated three labels for each collection item: 1. collection event data; 2. determination; 3. individual collection object number and QR code. The labels were cut using a cutting plotter, mounted on to the pins of the collection objects by using of a 3D pinning block (Gjonov 2022, Gjonov and Hristozov 2024). Distribution maps were created using the free and open source programme QGIS 3.28 (http://www.qgis.org) and MapTiler shapefile (https://www.maptiler.com/).

The species accounts include distribution maps, identifiers from eight taxonomic infrastructures (GBIF, BOLD, OpenBiodiv, BHL, COL, Plazi, EOL and TaxonWorks), regional literature taxon names (chresonymy), as well as literature and new records, phenology, altitudinal distribution in Bulgaria and known host plants. Live photographs are also included for all species. Unless otherwise indicated, the images presented are of specimens collected from Bulgaria. For some species, additional notes on habitat and frequency of occurrence are included.

The finding of a new host plant for Philaenus signatus Melichar, 1896 was presented as a nanopublication.

A dataset with all the occurrences was created and published in GBIF portal under CC-BY licence Angelova and Gjonov (2024), https://doi.org/10.15468/hc7eyy.

Superfamily Cercopoidea Leach, 1815

Family Aphrophoridae Amyot & Serville, 1843

Genus Aphrophora Germar, 1821

Aphrophora alni (Fallén, 1805)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 1a) and habitus (Fig. 1b).

a
b
Figure 1.

Aphrophora alni (Fallén, 1805):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Literature data: Northern and eastern Bulgaria (Nedjalkov 1908); Pre-Balkan (Joakimov 1909, Lindberg 1949, Bairamova 1978)⁠; Western Stara Planina Mts. (Bairamova 1978); Central Stara Planina Mts. (Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967); Vitosha Mts. (Joakimov 1909); Sofia Plain (Bajrjamova 1970, Bairamova 1978); Upper Thracian Lowland (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964)⁠; ⁠Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985)⁠; Belasitsa Mts. (Bajrjamova 1988)⁠; Rila Mts. (Lindberg 1949, Sander 1985); Rhodopes (Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967, Sander 1985, Gjonov 2004); Strandzha Mts. (Bairamova 1978); Southern Black Sea coast (Joakimov 1909, Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967, Bayryamova 1976, Bairamova 1978, Sander 1985)⁠.

New data: Danube Plain; Dobrudzha; Northern Black Sea Coast; Pre-Balkan; Western, Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Sub-Balkan valleys; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Sredna Gora Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Belasitsa Mts.; ⁠Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Mesta River Valley; Rhodopes; Slavjanka Mts.; Upper Thracian Lowland; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: April-November.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-2100 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Polyphagous (Nickel 2003).

Additional notes: Common in Bulgaria.

Aphrophora corticea Germar, 1821

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 2a) and habitus (Fig. 2b).

a
b
Figure 2.

Aphrophora corticea Germar, 1821:

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus, specimen from Germany (photo: G. Kunz, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66533826).  

Literature data: Vitosha Mts. (Bajrjamova 1972).

New data: Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Rhodopes. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: July-October.

Altitudinal distribution: 650-1850 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Nymphs on various plants in the understorey of pine saplings, adults on Pinus sylvestris L. (Nickel 2003).

Additional notes: Rare in Bulgaria.

Aphrophora salicina (Goeze, 1778)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 3a) and habitus (Fig. 3b).

a
b
Figure 3.

Aphrophora salicina (Goeze, 1778):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Chresonymy: Aphrophora salicis Degeer in Nedjalkov (1908); Aphrophora salicis de Geer in Joakimov (1909); Aphrophora salicis De Geer, 1773 in Dlabola (1957); Aphrophora salicis De Geer in Pelov (1968); Aphrophora costalis Matsmura in Sander (1985); Aphrophora costalis Mats. in Nast (1987); Aphrophora pectoralis (Matsumura, 1903) in Angelova and Gjonov (2022)

Literature data: Northern and eastern Bulgaria (Nedjalkov 1908); Danube Valley (Pelov 1968); Sofia Plain (Joakimov 1909, Pelov 1968, Sander 1985); Sredna Gora Mts. (Joakimov 1909, Angelova and Gjonov 2022); Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985); Rhodopes (Joakimov 1909, Gjonov 2004); Sakar-Tundzhan Region (Dlabola 1957).

New data: Danube Plain; Dobrudzha; Northern Black Sea Coast; Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Sub-Balkan valleys; Vitosha Mts.; Sredna Gora Mts.; Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley; Rila Mts.; Mesta River Valley; Rhodopes; Slavjanka Mts.; Upper Thracian Lowland, Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: May-September.

Altitudinal distribution: 5-1600 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Olygophagous on Salix sp. (Nickel 2003).

Additional notes: Common in river valleys.

Genus Lepyronia Amyot & Serville, 1843

Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 4a) and habitus (Fig. 4b).

a
b
Figure 4.

Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Literature data: Northern and eastern Bulgaria (Nedjalkov 1908); Danube Plain (Angelova et al. 2008); Vitosha Mts. (Lindberg 1949)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; Sofia Plain (Bajrjamova 1988)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; Lozen Mts. (Bayryamova 1976)⁠; Pre-Balkan (Joakimov 1909, Lindberg 1949)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985); Belasitsa Mts. (Bajrjamova 1988); Rhodopes (Sander 1985, Gjonov 2004)⁠; Thracian Lowland (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964, Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967); Sakar-Tundzhan Region (Joakimov 1909, Dlabola 1957)⁠.

New data: Danube Plain; Dobrudzha; Northern Black Sea Coast; Pre-Balkan; Western, Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Sub-Balkan valleys; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Sredna Gora Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Belasitsa Mts; Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Slavjanka Mts.; Mesta River Valley; Rhodopes; Upper Thracian Lowland; Sakar-Tundzhan Region; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: May-November.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-2100 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Polyphagous (Nickel 2003).

Additional notes: Common species.

Genus Neophilaenus Haupt, 1935

Neophilaenus albipennis (Fabricius, 1798)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 5a) and habitus (Fig. 5b).

a
b
Figure 5.

Neophilaenus albipennis (Fabricius, 1798):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Chresonymy: Ptyelus albipennis Fabr. in Joakimov (1909)

Literature data: Eastern Stara Planina Mts. (Pelov 1968); Vitosha Mts. (Joakimov 1909); Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985)⁠.

New data: Pre-Balkan; Western, Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Belasitsa Mts; Pirin Mts.; Slavjanka Mts.; Mesta River Valley; Rhodopes; Sakar-Tundzha Region; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: May-September.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-2200 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Monophagous on Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P. Beauv. (Nickel 2003).

Neophilaenus campestris (Fallén, 1805)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 6a) and habitus (Fig. 6b).

a
b
Figure 6.

Neophilaenus campestris (Fallén, 1805):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Chresonymy: Ptyelus campestris Fall. in (Joakimov 1909)

Literature data: Pre-Balkan (Joakimov 1909)⁠; Sofia Plain (Joakimov 1909); Vitosha Mts. (Joakimov 1909, Bajrjamova 1984)⁠, Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985)⁠; Southern Black Sea Coast (Sander 1985)⁠⁠.

New data: Danube Plain; Dobrudzha; Northern Black Sea Coast; Pre-Balkan; Western, Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Sub-Balkan valleys; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Sredna Gora Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Belasitsa Mts; Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Slavjanka Mts.; Mesta River Valley; Rhodopes; Upper Thracian Lowland, Sakar-Tundzha Region; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: April-November.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-1900 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Poaceae (Nickel 2003).

Neophilaenus exclamationis (Thunberg, 1784)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 7a) and habitus (Fig. 7b).

a
b
Figure 7.

Neophilaenus exclamationis (Thunberg, 1784):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus, specimen from Austria (photo: G. Kunz, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51116874).  

Literature data: Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985); Belasitsa Mts. (Bajrjamova 1988⁠); Rila Mts. (Lindberg 1949)⁠; Rhodopes (Sander 1985, Gjonov 2004)⁠.

New data: Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Rhodopes; Upper Thracian Lowland. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: May-October.

Altitudinal distribution: 325-600 m a.s.l.

Additional notes: Rare in Bulgaria.

Host plant: Poaceae (Festuca ovina L., Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. and other grasses) (Nickel 2003).

Neophilaenus infumatus (Haupt, 1917)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 8a) and habitus (Fig. 8b).

a
b
Figure 8.

Neophilaenus infumatus (Haupt, 1917):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Literature data: Northern Black Sea coast (Pelov 1968); Sofia Plain (Bajrjamova 1970); Vitosha Mt. (Bajrjamova 1990)⁠.

New data: Western and Central Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Vitosha Mts.; Belasitsa Mts; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Slavjanka Mts. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: May-October.

Altitudinal distribution: 600-2600 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Festuca ovina group (Nickel 2003).

Additional notes: In Bulgaria, it occurs mainly in the high parts of the mountains.

Neophilaenus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 9a) and habitus (Fig. 9b).

a
b
Figure 9.

Neophilaenus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Chresonymy: Philaenus lineatus Lin. in Nedjalkov (1908); Ptyelus lineatus L. in Joakimov (1909)

Literature data: Sofia Plain (Joakimov 1909)⁠; Rila Mts. (Joakimov 1909)⁠⁠; Vitosha Mts. (Nedjalkov 1908, Sander 1985)⁠; Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985); Rhodopes (Sander 1985, Gjonov 2004); Sakar-Tundzhan Region (Joakimov 1909)⁠.

New data: Danube Plain; Pre-Balkan; Western, Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Sredna Gora Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Belasitsa Mts; Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Rhodopes; Strandzha Mts. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: May-October.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-1900 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Polyphagous on Poaceae, Cyperaceae, probably also Juncaceae and other families (Nickel 2003).

Neophilaenus minor (Kirschbaum, 1868)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 10a) and habitus (Fig. 10b).

a
b
Figure 10.

Neophilaenus minor (Kirschbaum, 1868):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus, specimen from Croatia (photo: G. Kunz, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66521555).  

Chresonymy: Ptyelus minor Kb. in Joakimov (1909)

Literature data: Sofia Plain (Lindberg 1949)⁠; Vitosha Mts. (Joakimov 1909)⁠; Sredna Gora Mts. (Joakimov 1909); Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985); Belasitsa Mts. (Bajrjamova 1988); Rhodopes (Sander 1985).

New data: Danube Plain; Dobrudzha; Pre-Balkan; Western Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Vitosha Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Slavjanka Mts.; Mesta River Valley; Rhodopes; Upper Thracian Lowland. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: March-September.

Altitudinal distribution: 150-2050 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Corynephorus canescens, Festuca ovina, Koeleria glauca and probably species of fine-leaved grasses (Nickel 2003).

Genus Philaenus Stål, 1864

Philaenus signatus Melichar, 1896

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 11a) and habitus (Fig. 11b).

a
b
Figure 11.

Philaenus signatus Melichar, 1896:

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus - one of several colour forms (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Literature data: Sofia Plain (Bajrjamova 1990); Vitosha Mts. (Nedjalkov 1908)⁠. Both records are uncertain as the recorded locations do not match the ecological requirements of the species.

New data: Mesta River Valley; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: May-August.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-550 m a.s.l.

Host plant: In Greece, adults of the species have been collected on various shrubs and trees, especially those of the genera Arbutus and Quercus (Drosopoulos and Asche 2000). As of now, the only recorded plant of the nymph and the freshly emerged adults is Asphodelus microcarpus Parl (Asphodelaceae) (Drosopoulos 2003). In Bulgaria, during the early summer, it was collected on a new host plant of Asphodeline lutea (L.) Rchb. (Asphodelaceae). Later in the season, when the plant's ground mass had wilted, it moved as adults on to woody species of the genus Quercus.

Additional notes: In Greece, it usually lives in the same habitat as Philaenus spumarius, more often near the sea, but there are also isolated records from the mountains (Drosopoulos and Asche 2000). In Bulgaria, it has been collected along the southern Black Sea coast and there are also isolated records in the mountains, near the border with Greece. Colour polymorphism is observed. Rare in Bulgaria.

Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 12a) and habitus (Fig. 12b).

a
b
Figure 12.

Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus - the most common of several colour forms (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Chresonymy: Ptyelus spumarius L. in Joakimov (1909)

Literature data: Danube Plain (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964, Bairamova 1978, Angelova et al. 2008)⁠; Northern Black Sea Coast (Nedjalkov 1908, Bayryamova 1976, Bairamova 1978, Sander 1985); Pre-Balkan (Nedjalkov 1908, Pelov 1968, Bairamova 1978); Western Stara Planina (Bairamova 1978); Central Stara Planina Mts. ⁠(Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967); Sofia Plain (Bajrjamova 1970, Bayryamova 1976)⁠; Vitosha Mts. (Joakimov 1909, Lindberg 1949, Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967, Bairamova 1978)⁠⁠⁠; Lozen Mts. (Bayryamova 1976, Bairamova 1978); Plana Mts. (Bairamova 1978); Sub-Balkan valley (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964, Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967, Bairamova 1978)⁠; Sredna Gora Mts. (Joakimov 1909)⁠; Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985); Belasitsa Mts. (Bajrjamova 1988); Rila Mts. (Joakimov 1909, Lindberg 1949)⁠; Rhodopes (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964, Sander 1985, Gjonov 2004); Sakar-Tundzha Region (Joakimov 1909)⁠⁠; Strandzha Mts. (Bayryamova 1976, Bairamova 1978).

New data: Danube Plain; Dobrudzha; Northern Black Sea Coast; Pre-Balkan; Western, Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Sub-Balkan valleys; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Sredna Gora Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Belasitsa Mts.; ⁠Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Slavjanka Mts.; Mesta River Valley; Rhodopes; Upper Thracian Lowland; Sakar-Tundzha Region; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: May-November.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-2200 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Extremely polyphagous (Nickel 2003, Thompson et al. 2023).

Additional notes: Eurytopic. Colour polymorphism is observed (Nickel 2003). Common in Bulgaria.

Family Cercopidae Leach, 1815

Genus Cercopis Fabricius, 1775

Cercopis arcuata Fieber, 1844

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 13a) and habitus (Fig. 13b).

a
b
Figure 13.

Cercopis arcuata Fieber, 1844:

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Chresonymy: Triecphora arcuata Fieb. in Nedjalkov (1908)

Literature data: Rila Mts. (Sander 1985)⁠.

New data: Pre-Balkan; Western, Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Sredna Gora Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Belasitsa Mts.; ⁠Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Rhodopes; Sredna Gora Mts.; Upper Thracian Lowland; Sakar-Tundzha Region; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: April-November.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-1800 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Pine or oak forests, with the majority of adults discovered amongst dicotyledonous herbs in the Czech Republic, Austria and France (Nickel 2003).

Cercopis intermedia Kirschbaum, 1868

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 14a) and habitus (Fig. 14b).

a
b
Figure 14.

Cercopis intermedia Kirschbaum, 1868:

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Literature data: Danube Plain (Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967)⁠; Northern Black Sea coast (Sander 1985); Sub-Balkan valleys (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964); Sredna Gora Mts. (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964)⁠; Rhodopes (Gjonov 2004); Upper Thracian Lowland (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964)⁠⁠.

New data: Danube Plain; Dobrudzha; Northern Black Sea Coast; Pre-Balkan; Sofia Plain; Sredna Gora Mts.; Rhodopes; Upper Thracian Lowland; Sakar-Tundzha Region; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: April-June.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-1000 m a.s.l.

Host plant: On plants like Astragalus L., Onopordum L., Verbascum L. and Medicago sativa L. and trees, such as Pistacia vera L., Prunus domestica L., Acacia spp., Salix spp. and Alnus spp. (Lodos and Kalkandelen 1981).

Additional notes: Common in karst areas.

Cercopis sanguinolenta (Scopoli, 1763)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 15a) and habitus (Fig. 15b).

a
b
Figure 15.

Cercopis sanguinolenta (Scopoli, 1763):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus (photo: I. Gjonov).  

Chresonymy: Triecphora mactata Germ. in Nedjalkov (1908); Triecphora sanguinolenta Lin. in Nedjalkov (1908); Triecphora mactata Germ. in Joakimov (1909); Cercopis sanguinea Geoffr. in Lindberg (1949); Cercopis sanguinea Geoffr. 1785 in Cantoreanu and Gruev (1967).

Literature data: Central Stara Planina Mts. (Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967); Sofia Plain (Joakimov 1909); Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region (Joakimov 1909); Vitosha Mts. (Joakimov 1909, Bajrjamova 1990)⁠; Ljulin Mts. (Joakimov 1909); Sredna Gora Mts. (Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964); Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Joakimov 1909)⁠; Belasitsa Mts. (Bajrjamova 1988); Rila Mts. (Lindberg 1949); Rhodopes (Cantoreanu and Gruev 1967, Gjonov 2004)⁠; Upper Thracian Lowland (Nedjalkov 1908, Dirimanov and Harizanov 1964); Southern Black Sea Coast (Bayryamova 1976).

New data: Danube Plain; Northern Black Sea Coast; Pre-Balkan; Western, Central and Eastern Stara Planina Mts.; Kraishtensko-Konjavo Region; Sofia Plain; Vitosha Mts.; Lozenska Planina Mts.; Ograzhden Mts.; Belasitsa Mts.; ⁠Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley; Rila Mts.; Pirin Mts.; Slavjanka Mts.; Mesta River Valley; Rhodopes; Sakar-Tundzha Region; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: March-August.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-1800 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Polyphagous on various grasses and herbs (Nickel 2003).

Cercopis vulnerata (Rossi, 1807)

Notes: 

Distribution map (Fig. 16a) and habitus (Fig. 16b).

a
b
Figure 16.

Cercopis vulnerata (Rossi, 1807):

a: Distribution map in Bulgaria;  
b: Habitus, specimen from Austria (photo: G. Kunz, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66312129).  

Chresonymy: Triecphora vulnerata Illig. in Joakimov (1909)

Literature data: Sredna Gora Mts. (Joakimov 1909); Krupnik-Sandanski-Petrich Valley (Sander 1985).

New data: Western Stara planina Mts.; Rila Mts.; Strandzha Mts.; Southern Black Sea coast. Detailed occurrence data: Angelova and Gjonov (2024).

Phenology: April-July.

Altitudinal distribution: 0-1700 m a.s.l.

Host plant: Adults polyphagous on various tall herbs and grasses, Nymphs subterranean on Poaceae roots (Nickel 2003).

Additional notes: Rare in Bulgaria.

Discussion

Bulgaria has a relatively rich species diversity of the superfamily Cercopoidea in Europe due to the Bulgarian geographical location and varied topography, which provide conditions for different habitats. Out of 38 species known for Europe, 16 species have been recorded for the country and one species, Haematoloma dorsatum, is in need of confirmation. The majority of species in Bulgaria have a wide distribution and can be found at various altitudes. However, certain species, such as Aphrophora corticea, Neophilaenus exclamationis and Cercopis vulnerata, are only found in a few localities and the distribution of Neophilaenus infumatus is restricted to the high mountains of Bulgaria.

The species present in Bulgaria are classified according to the classification of Vigna Taglianti et al. (1999) in the following faunal complexes: Holarctic - 3 species (L. coleoptrata, N. lineatus and Ph. spumarius), Palaearctic - 2 species (A. alni and A. salicina), Central-asiatic-European - 3 species (A. corticea, N. albipennis and N. infumatus), Turano-European - 2 species (N. minor and C. sanguinolenta), Turano-Mediterranean - 2 species (Ph. signatus and C. intermedia), Europeo-Mediterranean - 3 species (N. campestris, N. exclamationis and C. vulnerata) and one European species (C. arcuata).

Most species are broad oligophagous or polyphagous, with the exception of Aphrophora corticea, which is monophagous on pines and Philaenus signatus, whose nymphs and freshly-emerged adults are known to be monophagous on Asphodelus microcarpus. A new food plant, Asphodeline lutea, has been established for the species in Bulgaria in the current study.

The 25-year study of Cercopoidea in Bulgaria has yielded 8722 digitised specimens from 888 locations. These data could be a valuable reference for future research and monitoring.

Acknowledgements

The publication of this work has been supported by the Biodiversity Community Integrated Knowledge Library (BiCIKL) project of the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Action, grant number 101007492. This study is partly funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria, project № BG-RRP-2.004-0008-C01. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Gernot Kunz (Karl-Franzens-Universität, Graz, Austria) for providing photographs of several species and to Adeline Soulier-Perkins (Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, France), Vinton Thompson (American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA) and J. Adilson Pinedo-Escatel (Instituto de Biología UNAM, México/University of Illinois, USA) for their insightful comments on the manuscript.

References

Nanopublications

Nanopublication Creator Date
Philaenus signatus Melichar, 1896 (species) - has host - Asphodeline lutea (L.) Rchb. (species) Ilia Gjonov 27-03-2024 13:41:42
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