The genus Physokermes (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) includes species that parasitize coniferous trees. They are considered both as pests of forests and as highly beneficial species in Apiculture when bees produce honey with specific physicochemical characteristics, using the honeydew excreted by these scale insects. The identification of these important species is based only on morphological characteristics. Genetic taxonomy on these species is lacking, thus the aim of the present study is the molecular taxonomy and the examination of the possible phylogenetic relationships of the Physokermes species in Greece based on mtDNA sequencing data. The sampling of adult females was conducted in several mountain places of Greece. Based on the recent key to female Physokermes species, all specimens were found to be Physokermes hellenicus. The sequencing of COI mtDNA gene segment produced 14 different haplotypes. Our data, based on mtDNA analysis on samples that belong to Physokermes genus, collected from different areas of Greece, show that the variability detected is not connected to the geographical origin. The average pairwise genetic distance detected, based on our obtained data, does not sufficiently document the existence of different species. Further research on a wider sampling is necessary to confirm the above conclusions. Taxonomía molecular del género Physokermes (Hemiptera: Coccidae) en Grecia basada en datos de secuenciación de ADN mitocondrial El género Physokermes (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) incluye especies que parasitan coníferas. Son consideradas como plagas en los bosques o como especies altamente beneficiosas en la Apicultura cuando las abejas producen miel con características físico-químicas específicas, explorando la excreción de melaza por estos insectos escamosos. La identificación de estas importantes especies se basa únicamente en características morfológicas. Falta taxonomía genética en estas especies, por lo que el objetivo del presente estudio es la taxonomía molecular y el examen de las posibles relaciones filogenéticas de las especies de Physokermes en Grecia basadas en datos de secuenciación de ADNmt. El muestreo de hembras adultas se realizó en varias zonas montañosas de Grecia. Basándose en la clave reciente de la especie hembra Physokermes, todos los especímenes encontrados son Physokermes hellenicus. La secuenciación del segmento genético COI mtADN produjo catorce haplotipos diferentes. Nuestros datos, basados en el análisis de ADN mitocondrial en muestras que pertenecen al género Physokermes, recogidas en diferentes zonas de Grecia, muestran que la variabilidad detectada no está relacionada con el origen geográfico. La distancia genética media por pares detectada, basada en nuestros datos obtenidos, no documenta suficientemente la existencia de diferentes especies. Se necesitan más investigaciones sobre un muestreo más amplio para confirmar las conclusiones mencionadas anteriormente.

The scale Physokermes hellenicus (Kozár & Gounari) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) has been recently included in the Greek entomofauna as a beneficial honeydew species. However, there are no adequate data about its geographical distribution and degree of infestation. Therefore, a study was conducted to examine these parameters in fifteen mountains of Greece. Furthermore, the monitoring of P. hellenicus infestation was carried out over a six-year period with regard to natural enemies and honeydew presence at three mountains (i.e., Menalon, Parnis and Tymfristos) that are traditional honeybee foraging areas. An extensive geographical distribution of the scale was negatively correlated with the latitude. Over the period of the study, P. hellenicus infestation exhibited a decreasing trend in the three mountains, which was more obvious at Menalon. The abundance of natural enemies of P. hellenicus, their effectiveness on honeydew excretion and the fecundity of P. hellenicus are discussed. The reduction in the honey produced at the Menalon mountain (a protected designation of origin product) could be attributed to the reduced presence of P. hellenicus in the fir forest. Among the other identified arthropods, Dreyfusia nordmannianae Eckstein (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) is reported for the first time infesting Abies cephalonica (Pinales: Pinaceae) in Greece. Furthermore, this species is reported for the first time as a co-parasite with P. hellenicus on A. cephalonica in Greece. Since D. nordmannianae is a serious pest, additional research is needed to determine its status in Greek fir forest ecosystems.