New pests recorded in Spain
The NPPO of Spain informed the EPPO Secretariat of the findings of several new pests on its territory.
- Sophonia orientalis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), two-spotted leafhopper
In the framework of the official surveys for Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A2 List) and its vectors, two nymphs of Sophonia orientalis were caught in February 2020 on herbaceous and bushy plants of a plot (without buildings) belonging to an industrial site located in the municipality of l’Aldea, Tarragona province, in the Autonomous Region of Cataluña. This is the first official record this insect in Spain.
Note: S. orientalis is a very polyphagous pest, originating in Asia. It was recorded in Madeira and Canary Islands in 2007. Wilson et al. (2011) previously recorded its presence in Gibraltar as well as in one location (Sierre del Arca) in Andalucía.
The pest status of Sophonia orientalis in Spain is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, at low prevalence.
- Pulvinaria polygonata (Hemiptera: Coccidae), cottony citrus scale
This scale of Asian origin has been detected in 13 orchards of Citrus trees (Citrus sinensis, C. clementina, C. limon, C. aurantifolia, C paradisi, C. reticulata as well as on Citrus hybrids) located in 5 municipalities of Alicante province, in the Autonomous Region of Comunidad Valenciana in September 2019.
The pest status of Pulvinaria polygonata in Spain is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
- Paracolopha morrisoni (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea: Pemphigidae)
The aphid P. morrisoni was found in the roots of bamboo plants (Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens, Sasa palmata) in a private garden located in the municipality of Almenar, Lleida province, in the Autonomous Region of Cataluña in January 2020. Nearly 200 plants were infested. A phytosanitary treatment was applied on the roots.
The pest status of Paracolopha morrisoni in Spain is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Note: This Asian aphid alternates hosts between leaf galls on Zelkova serrata (primary host) and bamboo roots (secondary hosts). Malumphy (2012) considered that this aphid was established in the United Kingdom and probably in other European countries (Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands).
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2019-10, 2020-04)
Malumphy C (2012) Paracolopha morrisoni (Hemiptera: Aphididae, Pemphiginae), an Asian aphid established in Britain. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 25(2), 79-83.
Wilson M, Bensusan K, Perez C, Torres JL (2011) First records of the exotic leafhopper Sophonia orientalis (Matsumura, 1912) (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) for the Iberian Peninsula and mainland Europe. Boletín de la Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa 48, 435‒436 http://sea-entomologia.org/Publicaciones/PDF/BOLN_48/435436BSEA48PhoronSophoniarufofascia.pdf