First report of Cinara curvipes (Homoptera: Aphididae) in the Czech Republic
The NPPO of Czech Republic recently informed the EPPO Secretariat about the occurrence of an alien species Cinara curvipes (syn= Todolachnus curvipes, Homoptera: Aphididae).
C. curvipes is a common species in Canada, Mexico and USA (California, Colorado, Oregon, Utah) where it lives on Abies species (A. balsamea, A. lasiocarpa, A. magnifica and A. religiosa) and occasionally on other conifers (Cedrus deodara, Pinus contorta). In Czech Republic, the presence of C. curvipes was first confirmed in several localities in spring 2007 after a very mild winter, but it is likely that the species was introduced a few years ago without being noticed. Interestingly, C. curvipes has also been introduced recently from North America into the following European countries:
C. curvipes is a common species in Canada, Mexico and USA (California, Colorado, Oregon, Utah) where it lives on Abies species (A. balsamea, A. lasiocarpa, A. magnifica and A. religiosa) and occasionally on other conifers (Cedrus deodara, Pinus contorta). In Czech Republic, the presence of C. curvipes was first confirmed in several localities in spring 2007 after a very mild winter, but it is likely that the species was introduced a few years ago without being noticed. Interestingly, C. curvipes has also been introduced recently from North America into the following European countries:
- United Kingdom: in 1999.
- Germany: in 2000 in Brandenburg on A. grandis and A. concolor. The aphid is now also present in Berlin, Bayern, Hessen, Niedersachsen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt.
- Serbia: in 2001, in Novi Sad on A. concolor and C. atlantica.
- Switzerland: in 2007 in the canton of Aargau on A. concolor.
- Slovakia: in 2007.
C. curvipes is considered to be a minor pest of Abies species, direct damage to trees is usually not significant. C. curvipes excretes large amounts of honeydew which can be a nuisance but also an important source of food for ants and wasps (bees have also been observed gathering this honeydew). However, large aphid colonies can cause esthetical damage to trees (large amounts of honeydew and development of sooty moulds). It can be noted that in Europe, many species of firs are planted in parks and gardens for ornamental purposes, or for the production of Christmas trees. In the Czech Republic, no phytosanitary measures will be taken against C. curvipes but attention will be paid to its occurrence in the future.
The pest status of Cinara curvipes in the Czech Republic is officially declared as: Present, in some areas.
Sources
NPPO of Czech Republic, 2008-02.
Angst A, Scheurer S, Forster B (2007) [First record of Cinara curvipes (Patch) (Homoptera, Aphidina, Lachnidae) on Abies concolor in Switzerland.] Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 80, 247-252 (in German).
Martin JH (2000) Two new British aphid introductions since 1999, in the context of other additions over the preceding thirty years (Sternorrhyncha: Aphidoidea). Entomologist’s Gazette 51(2), 97-105 (abst.).
Poljaković-Pajnik L, Petrović-Obradović O (2002) Bow-legged fir aphid Cinara curvipes (Patch) (Aphididae, Homoptera) new pest of Abies concolor in Serbia. Acta entomologica serbica 7(1/2), 147-150.
Scheurer S, Binazzi A (2004) Notes on bio-ecology and ethology of Cinara curvipes (Patch), a newly introduced species into Europe (Aphididae Lachninae). Redia 87, 61-65 (abst).