First report of Amrasca biguttula in Türkiye
Amrasca biguttula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae, EPPO Alert List) is reported for the first time in the EPPO region, in Türkiye.
During field surveys conducted by scientists in Antakya district (Hatay Province, Mediterranean region) in 2024, specimens of A. biguttula were collected from two eggplant (Solanum melongena) fields using a sweep net. Considering that A. biguttula is an important pest of cotton, additional field surveys were conducted in September-October 2025 in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fields in Antakya and Reyhanlı districts. Nymphs and adults of A. biguttula were detected from both host plants during these surveys in Reyhanlı district. The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological and molecular tests. The specimens were placed within the Asian lineage of the species through phylogenetic analysis.
On cotton, ‘hopperburn’ symptoms were observed.
As cotton is a major industrial crop in Türkiye, the establishment of A. biguttula may represent a serious phytosanitary concern.
The NPPO of Türkiye indicated to the EPPO Secretariat that A. biguttula has never been detected during surveys conducted by researchers and provincial agricultural and forestry directorate employees in the Hatay and Adana regions. No damage to crops has been reported so far. Surveillance for Amrasca biguttula will be conducted in 2026.
Sources
Bozdoğan İE, Carpar H, Demirel N, Coşkun ÖF (2026) First record of Amrasca (Sundapteryx) biguttula (Ishida, 1913)(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) from Türkiye and its morphological and molecular identification. Zootaxa 5768(2), 261-272.
NPPO of Türkiye (2026-05).