The psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiata, is a new insect pest of Ficus originating from Asia which has
recently been found in Spain (Alicante) on urban Ficus microcarpa trees. This species may be of phytosanitary
concern because of its leaf wrapping habits, wax secretion and honeydew excretion that
may lead to direct and secondary twig damage. Although more studies are needed on the biology of
M. gladiata, it is suspected that it might behave in the Euro-Mediterranean as an invasive alien species.
The predation by Anthocoris sp. (nemoralis?) needs to be investigated in order to assess its effectiveness
as a natural biological control agent. This is the first report of M. gladiata from the EPPO region.peer-reviewe

Mifsud, David

Porcelli, Francesco

OAR@UM

Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin (2012) 42 (1), 161–164 ISSN 0250–8052. DOI: 10.1111/epp.2544The psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiata Kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera:Psylloidea: Homotomidae): a Ficus pest recently introduced in theEPPO regionD. Mifsud1 and F. Porcelli21Department of Biology, Junior College, University of Malta, Msida MSD 1252 (Malta); e-mail: david.a.mifsud@um.edu.mt2DiBCA Sez. Entomologia e Zoologia, Universita` degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari (Italy)ª 2012 The authors. Journal compilatThe psyllidMacrohomotoma gladiata, is a new insect pest of Ficus originating from Asia which hasrecently been found in Spain (Alicante) on urban Ficus microcarpa trees. This species may be of phy-tosanitary concern because of its leaf wrapping habits, wax secretion and honeydew excretion thatmay lead to direct and secondary twig damage. Although more studies are needed on the biology ofM. gladiata, it is suspected that itmight behave in the Euro-Mediterranean as an invasive alien species.The predation by Anthocoris sp. (nemoralis?) needs to be investigated in order to assess its effective-ness as a natural biological control agent. This is the first report ofM. gladiata from the EPPO region.IntroductionThe Oriental region, and its Indo-Burma and Sundaland biodiver-sity hotspots (Mittermeier et al., 2011), is one of the major areasof origin of many plant pests that have been introduced into theEPPO region (Roques, 2010). Among these alien pest species,insects are the most rapidly increasing pest group (Roques et al.,2009), and NPPOs and entomologists are engaged in IntegratedPest Management (IPM) and Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) to try tolimit damage caused by these pests. The massive introductionand widescale planting of several ornamental Ficus species fromthe tropical Far East to urban areas in the EPPO region has ledmany fig-associated insects to escape their natural biogeographicborders and invade new areas. Recent examples of such invasionsinclude pollinating, Parapristina verticillata (Waterston), andnon-pollinating fig wasps, Odontofraggatia galili Wiebes, 1980and Philotripesis emeryi Grandi, and leaf fig-gall wasps, Josephi-ella microcarpae Beardsley & Rasplus andWalkerella microcar-pae Boucek, all on Ficus microcarpa (Lo Verde et al., 1991,2007; Lo Verde, 2001; Lo Verde & Porcelli, 2010). A new alienspecies Macrohomotoma gladiata, a jumping plant-louse, wasrecently observed in Spain (Alicante) on urban trees of Ficus mi-crocarpa. To date, this species was only known from Japan, Tai-wan and Hong Kong with most records being found on Ficusmicrocarpa (Hollis & Broomfield, 1989).Macrohomotoma glad-iata is of concern because of its leaf-wrapping habits, abundantwax secretion (Fig. 1E) and honeydew excretion, damage to treetwigs and consequent stunting of growth. This paper is intendedto report the first occurrence of this psylloid in the EPPO regionand to discuss the possible risks of this new pest on EuropeanFicus trees.Materials and methodsSeveral infested twigs were collected on four Ficus microcarpaadult trees on 20 July 2011 in the Alicante University Campus.ion ª 2012 OEPP/EPPO, Bulletin OEPThe trees had been planted there several years before (observa-tions by local personnel) and similar damage on the twigs of thesame plants had been noted during the previous year (2010). Allphotos of living material were taken on site. Subsequently speci-mens were stored in 75% alcohol. The collection was examinedin detail in Italy (DiBCA sez. Entomologia e Zoologia) and inMalta (University of Malta). Plant names used for Ficus speciesin this paper follow the International Plant Name Index (http://www.ipni.org).Results and discussionDetectionThe infested Ficus trees could be clearly identified from a dis-tance, as the last instar nymphs’ exuviae that are scattered overthe healthy leaves nearest the twig tips excrete a lot of woollywax. The psylloids infested the growing tips of host plants whichappeared somewhat misshapen, blackened by sooty mould andcovered by white woolly wax. All this locked the twig into a firmwrap made up of reciprocally enveloping leaves and sheaths thatwere attached together. Removing the outer leaves revealednumerous juveniles belonging to all instar stages living in thisprotected environment. Outer leaves were still green in contrastto internal leaflets that are usually dead and blackened. Inbetween the leaflets, several living and dead juveniles could befound along with exuviae and wax threads.IdentificationWithin the EPPO region the family Homotomidae is representedby Homotoma ficus (Linnaeus) and H. viridis Klimaszewski. Themorphological differentiation which separates these two specieshas a weak basis. In addition the two species occupy the sameniche, within the same geographical area and there is nobiological evidence which suggests that these two species areP/EPPO Bulletin 42, 161–164 161(B)(A)(E)(G)(H)(I)(F)(C)(D)Fig. 1 Macrohomotoma gladiata: (A) adult female from side; (B) 5th instar nymph ofM. gladiata on a twig of Ficus microcarpa; (C) Anthocoris sp. (nemoralis ?)juvenile preying on a nymph ofM. gladiata; (D) Infested F. microcarpa twig: white arrows indicate the exuviae of last instar nymphs; (E) Infested twig: detail of thewrapped apical leaves, white wax threads and sheaths; (F) Male terminalia from side; (G) Forewing; (H) Nymph; (I) Antenna from an adult male.162 D. Mifsud and F. Porcellidistinct. For these reasons several authors treat them as a singletaxon. Macrohomotoma gladiata is easily distinguished fromHomotoma ficus by the strongly arched thorax as viewed in pro-file and the very different forewing shape and venation. A shortdescription of the adult of M. gladiata is presented below. Bodylength varies from 2.0–2.3 mm in males, whereas females canattain a total length of 3 mm. Adults are light to dark brown(Fig. 1A) with yellowish white stripes before forewing base;forewing transparent with distinct brown-blackish markingsproximal of Cu1a and at apex of pterostigma (Fig. 1G); genaeyellowish brown; antennae 10-segmented yellowish-brown withlast segment darker in colour (Fig. 1I). Head as wide as thorax,strongly down-curved. Vertex about 2.5 times as wide as long.ª 2012 The authors. Journal comThorax strongly arched. Metatibia without basal spine, with4 apical internal spurs. Male genitalia (Fig. 1F) with proctigermuch wider than long and with two lobes posteriorly; aedeaguslong, with basal segment twice as long as apical one.Expected damageBased on the observations in Spain, Ficus appears not to sufferdirect damage at a low to moderate infestation of psylloids. How-ever, plant growth will slow down and two smaller growth tipswill replace the infested one. At high population levels the figtree will become misshapen and this is unsightly for urban ame-nity trees. Indirect damage is due to abundant wax secretion andpilation ª 2012 OEPP/EPPO, Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 42, 161–164Macrohomotoma gladiata on Ficus in the EPPO region 163honeydew excretion. Both will attract ants, thus driving second-ary homopteran plant pest infestations of mealybugs, for exam-ple, and facilitate overinfestations by thigmotaxis. Moreover,excretion of honeydew and wax over cars, footpaths and urbanareas is undesirable.Control perspectiveThe strongly curled leafs protect the juveniles of this psylloid pestfrom direct insecticide application and also from possible antago-nists. The urban environment and the fact these pests have sap-sucking mouthparts suggests that the most suitable pesticideapplication may be via the use of preventive tree-injection to dis-tribute a bi-directional systemic active ingredient into the infestedplant. The predation by Anthocoris sp. (nemoralis ?)1 (Fig. 1C)may help to control M. gladiata, but further investigations arerequired to assess the effectiveness of this natural biological con-trol agent.ConclusionThe example of Ficus microcarpa pests, described above, indi-cates that urban host plant corridors greatly assist alien speciesdispersion from their area of origin (Narendran et al., 2007) to adestination country (Lo Verde et al., 1991; Lo Verde, 2001; LoVerde & Porcelli, 2010). Once introduced into a destinationcountry, these pests can establish and eventually make their hostplant undesirable as an urban amenity tree (Nadel et al., 1992;Schicchi, 1999). From this point of view, the discovery ofM. gladiata in the EPPO area may be considered as the mostrecent (unexpected) introduction event of fig-associated insects.No other member of the family Homotomidae was considered asan alien species to Europe to-date (Mifsud et al., 2010). Severalquestions arise from this evidence. The first is about the origin ofHomotoma ficus that was possibly introduced into the Mediterra-nean Basin from the Fertile Crescent following the tracks of theedible fig (Ficus carica) (Prance & Nesbitt, 2005). The secondconcerns the ability of European populations of M. gladiata tofeed on other oriental ornamental Ficus species and their poten-tial to become invasive.Le psylle Macrohomotoma gladiataKuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera: Psylloidea:Homotomidae): un ravageur des Ficusre´cemment introduit dans la re´gion OEPPLe psylle Macrohomotoma gladiata, est un nouveau ravageurdes Ficus, originaire d’Asie, qui a e´te´ re´cemment trouve´ enEspagne (Alicante) sur des Ficus microcarpa urbains. Cetteespe`ce pourrait poser des proble`mes phytosanitaires parce qu’ils’enroule dans les feuilles, se´cre`te de la cire et excre`te du miellat,ce qui peut causer des de´gaˆts directs et indirects aux rameaux.Meˆme si d’autres e´tudes sont ne´cessaires sur la biologie deM. gladiata, il est soupc¸onne´ qu’il pourrait se comporter dans la1The identification as Anthocoris nemoralis to species level was not confirmed.ª 2012 The authors. Journal compilation ª 2012 OEPP/EPPO, Bulletin OEPre´gion euro-me´diterrane´enne comme une espe`ce exotique enva-hissante. La pre´dation par Anthocoris sp. (nemoralis ?) doit eˆtreinvestigue´e afin d’e´valuer son efficacite´ en tant qu’agent de luttebiologique naturel. Ceci est le premier signalement de M. gla-diata dans la re´gion OEPP.ReferencesHollis D & Broomfield PS (1989) Ficus-feeding psyllids (Homoptera), withspecial reference to the Homotomidae. Bulletin British Museum (NaturalHistory), Entomology Series, 58, 131–183.Lo Verde G (2001) Ritrovamento in Italia di Josephiella microcarpaeBeardsley & Rasphus galligeno fogliare di Ficus microcarpa L. (Moraceae).Naturalista Siciliano, 26, 199–203. (in Italian, English abstract).Lo Verde G & Porcelli F (2010) First record of the non-pollinating fig waspOdontofroggatia galili Wiebes, 1980 from Malta (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Agaonidae). Bulletin of the Entomological Society ofMalta, 3, 51–54.Lo Verde G, Porcelli F, Bella S & Rasplus JI (2007) Imenotteri Agonidi nuoviper l’Europa e loro ruolo nella naturalizzazione di Ficus spp. in Italia. AttiXXI CNIE, Campobasso, 11-16 giugno 2007, 60 (in Italian).Lo Verde G, Porcelli F & Sinacori A (1991) Presenza di Parapristinaverticillata (Waterst.) e Odontofroggatia galili Wlebes in Sicilia. Atti XVICongresso nazionale italiano di Entomologia, 139–143 (in Italian,English abstract).Mifsud D, Cocquempot C, Mu¨hlethaler R, Wilson M & Streito J-C (2010)Other Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha (Aleyrodidae, Phylloxeroidea, andPsylloidea) and Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha. In: Alien Terrestrial Arthro-pods of Europe (Ed. Roques A, Kenis M, Lees D, Lopez-Vaamonde C,Rabitch W, Rasplus J-Y, Roy DB), Chapter 9.4. Biorisk, 4, 511-552. doi:10.3897/biorisk.4.63.Mittermeier RA, Turner WR, Larsen FW, Brooks TB & Gascon C (2011)Global biodiversity conservation: the critical role of hotspots. In: BiodiversityHotspots Distribution and Protection of Conservation Priority Areas (EdsZachos FE & Habel JC), 546 pp. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.P/EPPO Bulletin 42, 161–164164 D. Mifsud and F. PorcelliNadel H, Frank JH & Knight RJ (1992) Escapees and accomplices: thenaturalization of exotic Ficus and their associated faunas in Florida. FloridaEntomologist, 75, 29–38.Narendran TC, Santhosh S & Sudheer K (2007) Biosystematics andbiogeography of oriental Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) associated with plantgalls.Oriental Insects, 41, 141–167.Prance G & Nesbitt M (2005) The Cultural History of Plants. Routledge,New York (USA), 452 pp.Roques A (2010) Taxonomy, time and geographic patterns. BioRisk 4, 11–26.doi: 10.3897/biorisk.4.70.ª 2012 The authors. Journal comRoques A, Rabitsch W, Rasplus JY, Lopez-Vaamonde C, Nentwig W &Kenis M (2009) Alien Terrestrial Invertebrates of Europe. In: DAISIEHandbook of Alien Species in Europe. Invading Nature SpringerSeries in Invasion Ecology 3 (Ed. Drake JA). Springer, Berlin (DE),399 pp.Schicchi R (1999) Spontaneizzazione di Ficus microcarpa (Moraceae) eCardiospermum grandiflorum (Sapindaceae) in Sicilia. Naturalistasiciliano, 23, 315–317, (in Italian, English abstract).pilation ª 2012 OEPP/EPPO, Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 42, 161–164

The psyllid macrohomotoma gladiata kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera : Psylloidea : Homotomidae) : a ficus pest recently introduced in the EPPO region

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The psyllid macrohomotoma gladiata kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera : Psylloidea : Homotomidae) : a ficus pest recently introduced in the EPPO region

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