First record of the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), a new exotic pest of Eucalyptus trees in Italy

In September 2011, the bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) was detected in Italy infesting Eucalyptus spp. in several urban and rural sites of the Latium region (Italy) (Laudonia & Sasso, 2012). This is the first record of a member of the family Thaumastocoridae from the European and Mediterranean region. Until recently, the Australian group of Thaumastocoridae was considered rare (Cassis et al., 1999), but over the past 10 years, T. peregrinus has rapidly established as a severe pest on 13 species of Eucalyptus and Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora in Australia (Noack & Rose, 2007; Noack et al. 2009), and spread to South America (Martinez-Crosa, 2008; Carpintero & Dellapé 2006; Noack & Coviella, 2006; Wilcken et al., 2010; Savaris et al., 2011) and South Africa (Jacobs & Neser, 2005; Giliomee, 2011). The adult of T. peregrinus is characterized by a strongly dorso-ventrally compressed and elongate body between 2-3.5 mm in length, a broad head, pedicellate eyes, and elongate conspicuous mandibular plates which are curved and broad on the outer margin (Noack et al., 2011). The body is light brown with darker areas. The male genital capsule is asymmetrical. The eggs are dark, oval, with a sculptured chorion and a round operculum, on average 0.5 mm long and 0.2 mm wide. The crawlers and young nymphs are essentially orange, with black spots on the thorax and first abdominal segments. A detailed description of T. peregrinus has been published by Carpintero and Dellapé (2006), and more recently a re-description of the species has been published by Noack et al. (2011). Infested Eucalyptus trees show leaf silvering, ranging from chlorosis to bronzing. Heavy infestations cause leaves to become red/brown and defoliation occurs. These symptoms are particularly serious and evident on E. grandis, while the prevalent symptoms on other Eucalyptus species are silver leaves. The bronze bugs are also considered as a nuisance, having been reported to ‘sting’ people in urban parks, playgrounds, etc. (Jacobs & Neser, 2005). In Southern Europe (Italy, Spain and Portugal), Eucalyptus species are probably the only large scale and economically successful short rotation tree plantations also used for industrial purposes, such as production of sawn wood, wood pulp, charcoal and biomass fuel. The nectar from flowers of some eucalypts produces high-quality of monofloral honey. T. peregrinus is a serious pest of Eucalyptus species in the Southern Hemisphere and could become a forest and urban pest in Southern Europe and in the Mediterranean Basin

The bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus: a new insect recorded in Italy, damaging to Eucalyptus trees

The bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero et Dellape (Heteroptera Thaumastocoridae) is reported for the first time from Italy infesting Eucalyptus spp. in several urban and rural sites of the Latium region. The host plants are very common in Italy as ornamental and forest trees. This is the first record of a member of the family Thaumastocoridae from Europe and the Mediterranean region. Preliminary bservations on general biological aspects and distribution of T.peregrinus have been conducted

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

First Record of Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Italy

Summary Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was observed for the first time in Italy and the Mediterranean Region attacking sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.; Solanaceae) in greenhouses and in fields in the coastal area of the Lazio Region of Italy. The incursion, detected in Oct 2013, was a heavy infestation of sweet pepper buds and not fully developed fruits, and causing their premature abscission. The outbreak area was delineated by the coast on the west, and hills on the south and east

THE PRESENT PEST STATUS OF EUCALYPTUS SAP-SUCKERS AND GALL WASPS IN CAMPANIA (ITALY)

Sap-suckers and gall wasps may be a severe phytosanitary problem for several Eucalyptus species, particularly for the red gum E. camaldulensis, the most widely cultivated Australian native tree species worldwide. This paper reviewed the harmfulness of some of these invasive pests established in Campania, and provides new information about their pest status

Description of a new species of Oligosita Walker (Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae), egg parasitoid of Balclutha brevis Lindberg (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) living on Pennisetum setaceum, from Italy

A new species of Oligosita Walker (Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae), O. balcluthae Viggiani et Laudonia n. sp., is described as a parasitoid of the eggs of Balclutha brevis Lindberg (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) associated with crimson fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum (Poaceae) in Italy. Morphological features and biology of the new species are discussed and illustrated. The 28S-D2 and ITS2 regions were successfully amplified and sequenced

Symbiotic control of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (OLF) is a major pest, which causes severe yield losses and quality decay of olive oil. The widespread use of chemical insecticides to control this pest is a major concern for the resulting environmental impact and food safety issues. Therefore, the development of sustainable control strategies is highly desirable. The primary endosymbiotic bacterium of the OLF, “Candidatus Erwinia dacicola”, is essential for successful larval development in unripe olive fruits. Then, targeting this endosymbiont with antimicrobial compounds may exert a control action against OLF. Here we evaluate the impact on OLF endosymbiont of Copper Oxychloride (CO) and the fungal metabolites Viridiol and Harzianic Acid (HA) produced by two biocontrol strains of Trichoderma spp. Laboratory bioassays were carried out on OLF wild populations to assess the effect of the oral administration of these compounds on mortality and fecundity of adult flies, and on larval development of their progeny in unripe olive fruits. Treated females were processed by qPCR to measure the endosymbiont load in the oesophageal bulb and in the midgut. Exposure to Viridiol and HA had a strong negative impact on endosymbiont load and OLF larval survival, while CO negatively affected both adults and larval stages, showing a combined toxic action and an anti-symbiotic effect, which was dose-dependent. These results provide new insights on the symbiotic control of the OLF and pave the way for developing new strategies based on the use of natural compounds with antimicrobial activity

The Aleurocanthus spiniferus (OSW) in Europe: a becoming invasive threat to citrus also.

The orange spiny whitefly (OSW), Aleurocanthus spiniferus, is a worldwide known citrus pest native to tropical Asia. Since the beginning of the 20th century, OSW spread throughout Asia, the Pacific, central and Southern Africa and from 2008 it was intercepted many times in EPPO area (Italy, Croatia and Montenegro). OSW polyphagy is well known, being able to infest more than 90 host plants belonging to unrelated botanical families, although Citrus spp. are considered the primary hosts. Accurate samplings highlighted OSW new host associations extending the range of plant families potentially exploitable and confirming the existence of host-shift phenomena. Analyses of the mitochondrial COI gene revealed that OSW Apulian population belongs solely to one of the two haplogroups present in China. Furthermore, the study of microbiota allowed us to identify the principal endosymbiotic bacteria in OSW. So far, field samplings confirmed the presence of predators belonging to Coccinellidae family able to prey on different evelopmental stages of A. spiniferus. These findings could be considered as an opportunity for biological control of OSW. Results laid solid foundations in the knowledge of European OSW populations now invading Italy and neighbouring countries to counteract a pan-Mediterranean invasion of this harmful whitefly. Further studies are essential for the assessment of an effective IPM strategy tailored either for organic or intensive agricultural context

THE PRESENT PEST STATUS OF EUCALYPTUSSAP-SUCKERS AND GALL WASPS IN CAMPANIA (ITALY)

ap-suckers and gall wasps may be a severe phytosanitary problem for several Eucalyptusspecies, particularlyfor the red gum E. camaldulensis, the most widely cultivated Australian native tree species worldwide. This paperreviewed the harmfulness of some of these invasive pests established in Campania, and provides new information abouttheir pest statu

Aleurocanthus spiniferus, an alien invasive threat to Europe. AssociatEd bacterial community and natural enemies

Aleurocanthus spiniferus also known as orange spiny whitefly (OSW), is a pest native to tropical Asia that in the last century has spread throughout Asia, reaching Africa, Australia, and Pacific islands. In 2008 the first European OSW population was recorded in Apulia region (South East Italy) and allowed EPPO to add the species as a quarantine threat to Europe now in the A2 list. In the following years OSW spread and invaded new territories of Italy, Croatia and Montenegro. Although OSW polyphagy is already well-known, new associations with autochthonous and allochthonous plants have been reported showing its host-shifting ability. To counteract an upcoming pan-Mediterranean invasion updated bio-ethological information of the pest and the role of possible natural enemies are essential to implement a correct IPM strategy. Field samplings have been aimed at the identification of natural enemies and the evaluation of their efficacy. Furthermore, through insect small-RNA sequencing and by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) technique coupled with 16S-rRNA gene sequencing, the primary symbiotic bacteria of OSW have been identified. Sampling on natural enemies highlighted the presence of predatory species belonging to the Coccinellidae family. Besides to the almost ineffective populations of Oenopia conglobata and Clithostetus arcuatus, new findings detected scattered Delphastus sp. populations along the western coast of Italy. Both adult and larvae of this ladybird species preyed OSW developmental stages. The evaluation of the role of Delphastus sp. as biocontrol agent is underway. The first study on OSW microbiota allowed to find symbiotic bacteria commonly associated with the genus Aleurocanthus: Portiera sp., Serratia sp., Wolbachia sp., Rickettsia sp. and, although sporadically, other species. Further studies will target the functional role of these symbionts to develop an effective IPM tailored for Countries at risk