First confirmed report of Pochazia shantungensis in Japan
In Japan, the presence of an unidentified planthopper has been reported on the Internet since 2015. Several papers (in Japanese) suggested that this newly found species was Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae – EPPO Alert List), but because of taxonomic issues the identity of the species had not been confirmed. P. shantungensis is thought to originate from China and has recently been introduced in the Republic of Korea and several countries in the EPPO region.
In Japan, 120 adult specimens were collected from 32 locations in Nara, Osaka, Wakayama and Kumamoto prefectures from 2015 to 2023. Specimens from collections were also examined for taxonomic purposes. Results confirmed that P. shantungensis occurs in Japan in Honshu (Aichi, Chiba, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Okayama, Osaka, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tokyo, Wakayama prefectures) and Kyushu (Kumamoto prefecture).
A list of host plants on which P. shantungensis was found in Japan has also been established and includes more than 60 plant species from 32 families. It is noted that P. shantungensis has often been collected from Camellia spp., Cinnamomum camphora, and Ligustrum spp. Despite the high densities of adults and nymphs observed on some plants, no serious damage has been reported so far.
Concerning the biology of the pest, it has been observed in the Osaka prefecture that P. shantungensis has two generations per year and overwinters in the egg stage on tree branches.
Finally, the diagnostic features of P. shantungensis have been reevaluated and descriptions of male and female genital structures, wings and fifth instar nymph are provided. A description of the male genitalia of P. sublimata (a similar species which has sometimes been confused with P. shantungensis) is also provided, together with several compared diagnostic features between three species: P. shantungensis, P. sublimata (absent from Japan) and P. albomaculata (present in Japan).
Sources
Kobayashi S, Suzuki M, Kuwahara R, Park J, Yamada K, Jung S (2024) Reevaluation of taxonomic identity of the recently introduced invasive planthopper, Pochazia shantungensis (Chou & Lu, 1977)(Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Ricaniidae) in Japan. Zootaxa 5446(2), 151-178.