First report of establishment of Selenothrips rubrocinctus in Italy and in Europe
Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a tropical and subtropical thrips species, probably originating from northern South America. It has also been reported from North and Central America, Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Pacific Islands. Although it was first described on cacao plants (Theobroma cacao), it is highly polyphagous and is recorded as a pest of avocado in South Africa and grapevine in Brazil.
In July 2015, an infestation by thrips was observed on Liquidambar styraciflua and Koelreuteria paniculata trees, in the city centre of Palazzo Pignano (Cremona province, Lombardia region), Italy. The identity of the pest was later confirmed to be Selenothrips rubrocinctus by morphological and molecular methods. Unofficial surveys in 2016-2020 confirmed the presence of S. rubrocinctus in the municipalities of Bagnolo Cremasco, Cremosano, Crespiatica, Pandino, and Palazzo Pignano. In addition to L. styraciflua and K. paniculata, the species was found on Acer campestre, A. platanoides, Carpinus betulus, Castanea sativa, Parrotia persica, Quercus robur, Sorbus aucuparia. Attacked leaf areas show clear depigmentation and take on a silvery colour on the upper leaf surface, with distortion of the lamina and, in the most severe cases, premature leaf drop.
S. rubrocinctus had been intercepted several times in EU countries on imported plants for planting, but this is the first report of establishment in Europe.
Sources
Taddei A, Vono G, Vierbergen G, Wojnar A, Zugno M, Marullo R (2021) First field record of the tropical red-banded thrips Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thripidae: Panchaetothripinae) in Europe. Forests 12(11),1484. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111484