New findings of Sophonia orientalis in Portugal
The two-spotted leafhopper Sophonia orientalis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is a very polyphagous pest, originating in Asia and recorded as invasive in Hawaii (USA). In the EPPO region, this species has been recorded since the 2000s in Madeira (PT) and the Canary Islands (ES) (EPPO RS 2020/073), and subsequently in a few locations in Gibraltar, Spain, mainland Portugal and Morocco (EPPO RS 2020/073, 2021/245). More recently, S. orientalis was reported from more locations in mainland Portugal and in the Azores Islands.
- Mainland Portugal
A survey was conducted in three vineyards (Vitis vinifera) in the northwest region, two peach (Prunus persica) orchards in the east-central region, and two sweet orange orchards (Citrus sinensis) in the southern region. Forty specimen of S. orientalis were collected, in 6 out of the 7 sampling sites. This suggests that S. orientalis is established across Portugal although at low levels. There are currently no crop losses associated with the presence of this species.
- Azores
Some specimens were collected in 2018 in the botanic garden in Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island. More recently, other specimens were captured in May 2020 in banana orchards located in Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira Island and on Pico Island in July 2020 in a mixed forest comprising Pittosporum undulatum and Erica azorica.
Sources
Neto AC, Mateus C, de Andrade E, Barateiro A, Bigolin M, Chaves M, Guerreiro V, Pereira F, Soares C, Tomé D, Coutinho JP (2021) First record of the invasive leafhopper Sophonia orientalis in mainland Portugal. Journal of Pest Science 94(2), 241-249.
Tarantino E, Prieto AR, Lopes DJ, Borges PA (2022) First finding of Sophonia orientalis (Matsumura) in the Azores. EPPO Bulletin 52(1), 190-191.