First report of Neophyllaphis podocarpi in Spain
In October 2011, several specimens of Neophyllaphis podocarpi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were found in a botanical garden in Blanes, near Girona, Spain. This aphid was also found in September 2014 in Barcelona in the Ciudadella Park and in the district of Pedralbes. All aphid colonies were collected from Podocarpus neriifolius trees (Podocarpaceae). This is the first time that N. podocarpi is reported from Spain. N. podocarpi is an oligophagous species which feeds on leaves, young twigs and fruit peduncles of several species of Podocarpus. Feeding activity can cause leaf chlorosis and is accompanied by the production of honeydew and the development of sooty mold. This aphid occurs in Asia and Australia, and it has been introduced into North America and the Azores (PT). In 1989, N. podocarpi was detected on an imported Podocarpus sp. bonsai plant in Milano, Italy. However, as no other records were made, it is assumed that this finding has not led to the establishment of N. podocarpi in Italy. This is the first report of Neophyllaphis podocarpi in Spain.
Sources
Pérez Hidalgo N, Hernández-Castellano C, Garcia Figueres F (2015) First record of Neophyllaphis podocarpi Takahashi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the Iberian Peninsula. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 45(1), 103–105.