First report of Aphis illinoisensis in Slovenia
The NPPO of Slovenia recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first report of the grapevine aphid, Aphis illinoisensis on its territory. In autumn 2020, the occurrence of A. illinoisensis was confirmed on Vitis vinifera in an abandoned vineyard located in Šempeter pri Gorici (Western Slovenia). No economic damage was observed on infested plants. It is noted that aphid colonies were actively visited by ants (Lasius emarginatus).
The pest status of Aphis illinoisensis in Slovenia is officially declared as: Present: at low prevalence.
EPPO note: The grapevine aphid, Aphis illinoisensis (Homoptera: Aphididae) originates from the Americas but was introduced into the Mediterranean region in the 2000s where it is showing an invasive behaviour. A distribution map can be viewed on the EPPO Global Database: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/APHIIL/distribution
Sources
NPPO of Slovenia (2021-07).
Seljak G (2021) [First record of grapevine aphid (Aphis illinoisensis Shimer, 1866) in Slovenia (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea: Aphididae)]. Acta Entomologica Slovenica 29(1), 107-112 (in Slovenian). https://www.pms-lj.si/si/files/default/Publikacije/Strokovna-glasila/Acta-entomologica-slovenica/2021/1/8%20SELJAK%201_2021.pdf