First record of Draeculacephala robinsoni in the EPPO region
Draeculacephala robinsoni (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is a native and widespread leafhopper in North America (Canada and the USA), east of the Rocky Mountains. In 2021, it was recorded for the first time in the EPPO region, in France and Spain. This was also the first record for the genus Draeculacephala in the Palaearctic region. In the EU, Draeculacephala minerva and Draeculacephala sp. are listed as A1 quarantine pests, as ‘Cicadomorpha known to be vectors of Xylella fastidiosa’.
- In France, D. robinsoni was found in the department of Pyrénées-Orientales (Occitanie region) in 4 different sites located in the municipalities of Argelès, Banyuls, and Collioure. Specimens were collected in dry riverbeds on ruderal vegetation. Regional phytosanitary services are working in order to officially confirm this detection.
- In Spain, D. robinsonii was found in 6 sites in the neighbouring region of Cataluña, in the municipalities of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Estany de Banyoles, and Estany de Sils. The species occurred in large permanent wetland sites, as well as in pastures and meadows which are periodically flooded.
Specimens (adults and nymphs) were collected between May and October 2021. In France and Spain, the different sites are relatively close to each other, the maximum distance between these sites being 86 km.
Recorded host plants of D. robinsoni in North America are mostly grasses and sedges including: Echinochloa muricata, Elymus virginicus, Leersia oryzoides, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Muhlenbergia frondosa, Phalaris arundinacea, Saccharum sp., Zea mays (all Poaceae), and Carex sp. (Cyperaceae). In France and Spain, the potential host plants observed were: Agrostis stolonifera, Arundo donax, Avena sterilis, Bromus catharticus, Cynodon dactylon, Paspalum distichum, Polypogon maritimus, Polypogon viridis (all Poaceae), and Cyperus eragrostis, Cyperus esculentus, Scirpoides holoschoenus (all Cyperaceae).
The authors noted that since the genus Draeculacephala includes species that are vectors of plant pathogens, including Xylella fastidiosa, the situation of D. robinsoni in Europe should be closely monitored.
Sources
Rösch V, Marques E, Miralles-Núñez AD, Zahniser JN, Wilson MR (2022) Draeculacephala robinsoni Hamilton, 1967 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae), a newly introduced species and genus in Europe with comments on its identification. Zootaxa 5116(3), 439-448.
NPPO of France (2022-04).