First report of Halyomorpha halys in Italy
The NPPO of Italy recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae – EPPO Alert List) on its territory. In September 2012, a single adult specimen was collected by a University student in the locality of Magreta di Formigine (province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna region), then given to his entomology professor, and finally identified by the Museum of Natural History of Morbegno-Sondrio. This specimen was captured in a light trap during an insect collection carried out for educational purposes. The trap was located on a house terrace (approximately 3 m above ground level) in a small urban area close to uncultivated land. Other specimens collected from the urban area of Modena are currently in the process of identification. For the moment no official control measures were taken, but surveys will be conducted in 2013 to delimit the infested area, as well as studies on the host plants and possible economic impact of H. halys.
The pest status of Halyomorpha halys in Italy is officially declared as: Present, a single specimen identified in Modena province (Emilia-Romagna region). Other specimens found in the same area have not been identified yet.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2013-05).