First report on egg-parasitoids of the Asian planthopper Ricania speculum

The first findings of egg-parasitoids of the invasive planthopper Ricania speculum (Walker) (Hemiptera Ricaniidae) are presented. Aprostocetus (Ootetrastichus) crino (Walker) (Hymenoptera Eulophidae), a native species until now only associated with Oecanthus spp. (Orthoptera Oecanthidae) eggs, was the most common. Chaetostricha similis (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera Trichogrammatidae) and Polynema sp. (Hymenoptera Mymaridae), which also emerged from R. speculum egg clusters, should be confirmed as parasitoids of this planthopper

Presence of the Eucalyptus gall wasp Ophelimus maskelli and its parasitoid Closterocerus chamaeleon in Portugal: first record, geographic distribution and host preference

The Eucalyptus gall wasp Ophelimus maskelli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its parasitoid Closterocerus chamaeleon (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were observed for the first time in Portugal, in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Data on the distribution of O. maskelli in Portugal, differences in the susceptibility of two host species, Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and parasitism by C. chamaeleon are given

One maternal lineage leads the expansion of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) in the new and old worlds.

The bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus, an Australian native insect, has become a nearly worldwide invasive pest in the last 16 years and has been causing signifcant damage to eucalypts (Myrtaceae), including Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp. Its rapid expansion leads to new questions about pathways and routes that T. peregrinus used to invade other continents and countries. We used mtDNA to characterize specimens of T. peregrinus collected from 10 countries where this species has become established, including six recently invaded countries: Chile, Israel, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, and the United States of America. We then combined our mtDNA data with previous data available from South Africa, Australia, and Europe to construct a world mtDNA network of haplotypes. Haplotype A was the most common present in all specimens of sites sampled in the New World, Europe, and Israel, however from Australia second more frequently. Haplotype D was the most common one from native populations in Australia. Haplotype A difers from the two major haplotypes found in South Africa (D and G), confrming that at least two independent invasions occurred, one from Australia to South Africa, and the other one from Australia to South America (A). In conclusion, Haplotype A has an invasion success over many countries in the World. Additionally, analyzing data from our work and previous reports, it is possible to suggest some invasive routes of T. peregrinus to predict such events and support preventive control measures

Blastopsylla occidentalis Taylor (Homoptera: Psylloidea) on Italian Eucalyptus spp: a new exotic pest for European Fauna.

The occurence of Homoptera Psylloidea Blastopsylla occidentalis was reported for Italy. The species is a new exotic pest for European Fauna. In Italy B.occidentalis carries out several generations and over winter in every stages