First report of Lema bilineata in Italy
During summer 2017, Lema bilineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, tobacco slug beetle) was found for the first time in Italy. The insect was observed on Physalis peruviana and Salpichroa origanifolia grown for ornamental purposes in urban areas in the municipalities of Napoli and Portici (Campania region). This record in Italy is also the first one for the EPPO region. The source of this outbreak is unknown. Surveys will be carried out to determine the distribution of L. lineata and a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) will be carried out. The decision as to whether phytosanitary measures should be taken is pending the results of these investigations.
The pest status of Lema bilineata in Italy is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
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EPPO note: L. bilineata originates from South America (Argentina and Chile) and has been introduced into South Africa and Australia (New South Wales in 2008). Adults and larvae feed on the foliage of several solanaceous plants. The main economical host is tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), but L. bilineata has been recorded on other Solanaceae such as: Datura ferox, D. stramonium, Nicandra physaloides, Nicotiana glauca, Physalis lobata, P. minima, P. peruviana, P. viscosa and Salpichroa origanifolia. Little information is available from the literature about the economic impact of this insect on tobacco or other cultivated solanaceous hosts.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2017-09).
INTERNET
Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale Campania. Lema bilineata (Germar) - Crisomelide sudamericano del tabacco. http://www.agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/lema_bilineata.html
Additional sources:
Bennett A, du Toi CLN, Bennett AL (1999) A new record of Lema trilinea White (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on tobacco in South Africa, with reference to the common pest species, Lema bilineata (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Criocerinae). African Entomology 7(2), 316-319.
Stevens MM, Stanton RA, Wu H, Sampson B, Weir TA, Reid CAM, Mo J (2010) Detection of Lema bilineata Germar (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Australia. General and Applied Entomology 39, 1-4. https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/8779894