Penthimiola bella: a new leafhopper found on citrus in Portugal
During a survey carried out in 2012 in 30 citrus orchards in the Algarve, Penthimiola bella (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae - citrus leafhopper) was detected for the first time in Portugal. The occurrence of reproducing populations of P. bella and its dispersion over a relatively large area of at least 70 km long within the Algarve suggests that it is established and was probably introduced several years ago. It was found mainly on sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). Circular yellow spots were observed on citrus fruits in the orchards where P. bella was detected, however no economic damage has been reported. P. bella is thought to originate from the Afrotropical region. It is a polyphagous sap feeder which can be found in mountain and rain forests, as well as in various trees and bushes in the savannah. It has also been reported on fruit crops, such as citrus (C. sinensis, C. paradisi), and avocado (Persea americana). In the Mediterranean Basin, P. bella was first detected in Israel in 1974 and more recently in Lebanon. It is hypothesized that the pest was introduced into Portugal via the international trade of citrus fruits (as trade of citrus plants for planting from outside the EU is prohibited). From the literature, the geographical distribution of P. bella is given as follows:
EPPO region: Israel, Lebanon, Portugal.
Africa: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Madagascar; Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda.
South America: Argentina.
Sources
Zina V, Borges da Silva E, Quartau JA, Franco JC (2013) First report of the citrus leafhopper Penthimiola bella (Stål) (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in Europe. Phytoparasitica 41(5), 521-527.