The Pontia daplidice (Linnaeus, 1158) I Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777) complex (Lepidoptera: Pieridae): confirmation of the presence of Pontia daplidice in Cyprus, and of Cleome iberica DC. as a new host-plant for this species in the Levant

摘要

Molecular analysis of Pontia specimens from Cyprus has shown incontrovertibly that the species present on the island is Pontia daplidice. Examination of additional Pontia specimens from adjacent mainland countries of the Levant indicates that Cyprus was populated from the south-east or east, not from the north (Turkey). In addition to the previously established use of Cleome iberica by the related Pontia chloridice, the authors report on the first use of this host-plant by P. daplidice in the Levant.