Update of the situation of Blissus insularis in Portugal
The southern chinch bug Blissus insularis (Hemiptera: Blissidae) was first reported in Portugal and in Europe in 2019 in the area of Lisbon (EPPO RS 2021/055).
A nation-wide survey was conducted, and further outbreaks were found. Conspicuous symptoms and numerous insects were observed on Stenotaphrum secundatum lawns in private and public gardens in the following areas:
- Área Metropolitana de Lisboa: in the municipalities of Cascais, Sintra, Almada, Seixal, Palmela and Olivai.
- Alentejo region: in the municipalities of Alcácer do Sal, Porto Covo and Sines.
- Algarve region: in the municipalities of Aljezur (1 site), Vila Real de Santo António (1 site), Faro (1 site), Loulé (2 sites)
An awareness campaign has been initiated and emergency authorization of several insecticides has been approved to control B. insularis in January 2023.
The pest status of Blissus insularis in Portugal is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Sources
NPPO of Portugal (2022-12).
Circular n°5/2022 Uma nova praga dos relvados: Blissus insularis Barber, 1918 (Hemiptera:Lygaeidae), percevejo-do-sul-americano. http://www.draplvt.mamaot.pt/alimentacao/avisos-agricolas/Pages/Avisos-Agricolas.aspx
Autorização excecional de emergência ao abrigo do Art.º 53 do Regulamento (CE) n.º 1107/2009, de 21 de outubro, para utilização de produtos fitofarmacêuticos com base em óleo de laranja, spinosade, deltametrina, cipermetrina e acetamiprida, para o controlo de Blissus insularis, vulgarmente conhecido por percevejo-do-sul, para utilizadores profissionais e uso não profissional https://www.dgav.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AEE-No_2023_Blissus.pdf