Data on ecology of some Hemiptera species recorded in the forest of Taygetus Mountain,Peloponnesus, Greece

Data on ecology of the Hemiptera species found in the forest area of the Taygetus Mountain during the years 2004–2008 are presented. The scale insects Eulecanium sericeum (Lindinger) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Nemolecanium graniformis (Wünn) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Physokermes hemicryphus (Dalman) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Physokermes inopinatus Danzig & Kozár (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Dynaspidiotus abietis (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and the aphid Cinara confinis (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were found infesting fir trees Abies cephalonica (Pinaceae) and the scale species Lineaspis striata (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and Planococcus vovae (Nasonov) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) were found on Juniperus oxycedrus (Cupressaceae). The coccids P. hemicryphus, P. inopinatus, N. graniformis and the diaspidid D. abietis complete one generation per year in the study area. The predatory species Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.), Exochomus quadripustulatus (L.), Ceratomegilla undecimnotata (Schneider), Coccinella septempunctata L. and Scymnus sp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were observed on the infested plants. The encyrtid Pseudorhopus testaceus (Ratzeburg) parasitized female adults of P. hemicryphus. The parasitization level reached 47.8% in July.     

Definitive confirmation of establishment of Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner) (Hemiptera,Coccidae) in Sicily (Italy), with notes on its association with a new host,Syzygium myrtifolium Walp.

The nigra scale, Parasaissetia nigra (Hemiptera, Coccidae), has occurred for a long time on many ornamental plants in continental Italy. Records of the presence of this polyphagous scale in the island of Sicily have remained unconfirmed. This study confirms the establishment of this damaging insect in Sicily, where the scale has been found on a new host, Syzygium myrtifolium.     

A contribution to the inventory and study of the impacts of phytophagous insects found on Baccharis halimifolia in its introduced range in France

Field surveys and a literature review were used to develop an initial inventory of phytophagous insects found on the invasive alien plant Baccharis halimifolia (Asteraceae) in its introduced range in France. A preliminary study provides the first quantitative data for the observed impact of Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on the reproductive output of this invasive shrub.     

The scale Nemolecanium graniformis (Wunn) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Greece

The phenology and natural enemies of Nemolecanium graniformis (Wunn) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in infesting Abies cephalonica, were studied in Greece during 1998–1999. This oviparous species develops one generation per year in Central Greece (Attica) and overwinters as 2^nd instar nymph. Young adult females appear by the end of July, and the first instar nymphs by the middle of August. By the middle of October, the whole population of the scale is recorded as 2^nd instar nymphs. The parasitoids Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker), Coccophagus Westwood sp., Aphycoides Mercet sp. and the predator Exochomus quadripustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were observed as natural enemies of the scale. The average fecundity of N. graniformis was 188.4 eggs.     

The scale Nemolecanium graniformis (Wunn) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in Greece

The phenology and natural enemies of Nemolecanium graniformis (Wunn) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in infesting Abies cephalonica, were studied in Greece during 1998–1999. This oviparous species develops one generation per year in Central Greece (Attica) and overwinters as 2^nd instar nymph. Young adult females appear by the end of July, and the first instar nymphs by the middle of August. By the middle of October, the whole population of the scale is recorded as 2^nd instar nymphs. The parasitoids Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker), Coccophagus Westwood sp., Aphycoides Mercet sp. and the predator Exochomus quadripustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were observed as natural enemies of the scale. The average fecundity of N. graniformis was 188.4 eggs.     

First report of brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Greece

In autumn 2011, stink bugs were found causing a nuisance in houses in the centre of Athens, Greece. Specimens were identified by D.A. Rider at North Dakota State University as Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The species is native to Asia; it was detected in the USA in 1996 and has recently been introduced into Europe (2008). This paper provides the first report of the presence of H. halys (brown marmorated stink bug) in Greece. Some data on its phenology and economic impact are also provided.     

Presence of the invasive whitefly Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Greece

Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), commonly known as the citrus (or orange) spiny whitefly, is an important pest of various economic crops such as citrus and tea and causes severe economic losses. It is reported for the first time in Greece, in the island of Corfu (North‐West Greece) on sweet orange trees (Citrus sinensis). Morphological and molecular data has been used for species identification. Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene from Greek populations have been compared with sequences of the species from Italy and Montenegro, as well as with COI sequences retrieved from GenBank, to examine the genetic diversity of the species. Based on the preliminary results, it appears that the population from Corfu probably arose through several independent introductions.     

First record and new hosts of Coccophagus shillongensis Hayat and Singh, 1989 (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in Serbia

Phytoparasitica - During a study on soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) and their natural enemies in Serbia, the parasitoid Coccophagus shillongensis Hayat and Singh 1989 (Hymenoptera:...     

First records of two mealybugs,Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) and Phenacoccus peruvianus Granara de Willink,in Tunisia and the North of Africa

During the summer and autumn of 2014 the mealybugs Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Phenacoccus peruvianus Granara de Willink, 2007 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) were observed in different localities of Sousse (Tunisia). This is the first record for both of these species in Tunisia and in North Africa. For M. hirsutus, this was also the first record of the species in a Western Mediterranean country. It was observed on Hibiscus rosa‐sinensis (Malvacae). P. peruvianus was collected from Bougainvillea glabra (Nyctaginaceae) and Citharexylum quadrangularis (Verbenacae).     

Populations of predators and parasitoids of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) after the application of eight biorational insecticides in vegetable crops

BACKGROUND: The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an important pest of vegetables and many other crops worldwide. Eight biorational insecticides (based on oil, plant derivatives, insect growth regulator and fungus) were evaluated in the field for their influence on populations of six natural enemies of B. tabaci. Natural populations of two predators [Chrysoperla carnea Stephen (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)] and two genera of parasitoids [Encarsia spp. and Eretmocerus spp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)] were evaluated in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Also, augmented field populations of three predators [C. carnea, Coccinella undecimpunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Macrolophus caliginosus (Wagner) (Hemiptera: Miridae)] were evaluated in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). RESULTS: Regardless of natural enemy or crop, jojoba oil, Biovar and Neemix had the least effect on abundance of the natural enemies in comparison with the other insecticides during a 14 day evaluation period. Conversely, Admiral, KZ oil, Mesrona oil, Mesrona oil + sulfur and natural oil had a high detrimental effect on abundance of the natural enemies. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the differential effects of biorational insecticides for whitefly control on predators and parasitoids in the field. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New records of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) from Spain

Five mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) species were identified as new records for Spain: Phenacoccus madeirensis (Green), Phenacoccus solani Ferris, Dysmicoccus boninsis (Kuwana), Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink and Ferrisia malvastra (McDaniel).     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microterys</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from Northeast China,parasitoid of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parthenolecanium corni</Emphasis> (Bouché) (Hemiptera: Coccidae)

A new species of Microterys Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), M. angustus Zu, Li & Wang sp. nov., is described from China as a parasitoid of Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on Acer saccharum Marsh. and Sophora japonica Linn..     

The pink hibiscus mealybug,Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), a new threat to Israel's agriculture and horticulture

The invasive mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) is reported in Israel for the first time. This damaging mealybug was detected in two locations in Northern Israel on various ornamental plants. Its principal parasitoids, Anagyrus kamali Moursi and Gyranusoidea indica Shafee (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), were both recovered from the collected samples. Maconellicoccus hirsutus is highly polyphagous but particularly thrives on members of the plant families Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Moraceae.     

Scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in Syria

Scale insects in Syria were surveyed between 2009 and 2015. This study showed that Diaspididae and Coccidae were the most common families, comprising 5 and 8 species, respectively. The remaining families found comprised 1 species each. New records of Coccoidea fauna from Syria were Parlatoria blanchardi, Phoenicococcus marlatti, Coccus hesperidum, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum and Chionaspis etrusca.     

Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, 1923 (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) on Ocimum basilicum: a new geographical record for Greece

In Greece, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, 1923 (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) was identified for the first time in June 2010 in the regions of Thessaloniki, Xanthi and Kavala (Northern Greece). This mealybug was found on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). The highest population densities were observed on basil stems rather than on the leaves. Phenacoccus madeirensis is a serious pest of horticultural crops and this is its first record on O. basilicum in Greece.     

Baeoentedon balios (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): a parasitoid of ficus whitefly,Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), new to the United States

A new host and distribution record is provided for the whitefly parasitoid Baeoentedon balios Wang, Huang, & Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Specimens were reared from ficus whitefly, Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in St. Petersburg, FL, USA, representing the second confirmed host for B. balios, as well as the first record of Baeoentedon Girault from the Western Hemisphere.     

Field trial measuring the compatibility of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid with Orius laevigatus Fieber (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in a commercial pepper greenhouse

BACKGROUND: Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are among the most serious pests of sweet peppers in greenhouses. Chemical control is difficult because of their high reproductive rates and insecticide resistance, and seasonal inoculative releases of Orius laevigatus (Fieber) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias‐Henriot) are commonly used to reduce their populations. As chemical treatments are often needed in the crop against other pests, the side effects of methoxyfenozide (an insect growth regulator against lepidopteran pests) and flonicamid (a selective feeding inhibitor against sucking insects) were studied in both beneficial organisms in a commercial greenhouse. RESULTS: Orius laevigatus and A. swirskii were released at commercial rates (4–5 and 100 m^?2), and a strong establishment and a very homogeneous distribution were reached. One pesticide treatment with the maximum field recommended concentration of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid (96 and 100 mg AI L^?1) was done when they were well established, and their population levels were not affected either immediately or up to 30 days after treatment. CONCLUSION: The results are indicative of no impact of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid on the two natural enemies in the field, and both can be considered as potential alternatives to be included in IPM programmes in sweet pepper. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phenacoccus madeirensis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae): a new species of mealybug in Tunisia

In August 2013, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, 1923 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was identified for the first time in Tunisia, in the region of Akouda (Sousse, coastal area of Tunisia) on Cestrum nocturnum (Solanaceae) during a survey. The infestation was observed on leaves, shoots and also on the collar. This is the first record of P. madeirensis in Tunisia and the first record of this pest in North Africa. Two other mealybugs Peliococcus cycliger and Planococcus citri were also recorded during this survey. They have previously been reported in Tunisia.