Pollinia pollini (Costa, 1857) (Hemiptera,Asterolecaniidae) infesting olive trees: a first record in Tunisia

During January 2019, mealybugs were observed on branches of olive trees (Olea europaea, L.) for the first time at Nebeur and Charket Saboune (Governorate-Kef, Tunisia). Samples were collected and brought to the laboratory for identification. The mealybug species was identified based on its morphological characteristics as Pollinia pollini (Costa, 1857) (Hemiptera, Asterolecanidae). This is the first report of this species in Tunisia.     

Cystiphora sonchi (Vallot, 1827) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), first record for Tunisia and Africa

During 2017 and 2018, from June to October, leaf galls were observed for the first time on Sonchus oleraceus L. (Asteraceae), sow thistle, in Akouda‐Sousse, Tunisia. Leaves with galls were collected and brought to the laboratory. After a few days, adults emerged from the leaf galls. Morphological identification showed the emerged gall midges to be Cystiphora sonchi (Vallot, 1827) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). This is the first record of this species in Tunisia and Africa.     

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.     

First record of the red gum lerp psyllid,Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera Psyllidae), in Tunisia

During a survey carried out in August 2013 along all coastal areas of north-eastern Tunisia (governorships of Bizerte, Ariana, Tunis, Ben Arous, Nabeul, Sousse), eucalyptus trees were found to be highly infested by the invasive pest Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964, also known as red gum lerp psyllid. This insect, native to the Australian region and secondarily dispersed also in the Americas, Mauritius, Madagascar and South Africa, very recently started to invade the Mediterranean region and in almost 5 years has spread to the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Greece and Morocco. Its presence in Tunisia (which is recorded here for the first time) most probably dates back to summer 2012, since typical necrotic spots caused by the lerp of the psyllid had already been noted on leaves during spring 2013. No presence of its main parasitoid – Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek – nor of any other natural enemy, was noted up to now during our survey in Tunisia.     

First record of Bregmatothrips dimorphus (Priesner, 1919) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Tunisia

During an inventory study of thrips species carried out in the central‐eastern coastal region of Tunisia in 2010 and 2011, Bregmatothrips dimorphus (Priesner, 1919) (Thysanoptera; Thripidae) was found on two host plants; barley (Hordeum vulgare Linnaeus) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench). This is the first record of B. dimorphus in Tunisia. Its distribution in other parts of the world and taxonomic characteristics are briefly presented.     

First record of Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae) from Israel

The presence of the Opuntia cochineal scale insect, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae) is reported for the first time from Israel. It was collected off the Indian-fig prickly-pear, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (Cactaceae) in the Hula Valley of the Upper Galilee.     

First report of Siphonatrophia cupressi and its parasitoids in Algeria and a first record for Africa

This paper presents the first finding of Siphonatrophia cupressi (Swain, 1918) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) for Algeria and also for the whole African continent. This aphid pest is reported for the first time from Khenchela Province, North‐Eastern Algeria, on Cupressus sempervirens L. var. horizontalis (Mill.). The first observations were made in a public garden, and other colonies were detected in a nursery producing forest seedlings. Monitoring of these colonies revealed that this aphid is parasitized by Ephedrus persicae Frog and Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cress.) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae).     

First record of Psylla buxi (L., 1758) (Hemiptera,Psylloidea) from Luxembourg

The ornamental use of boxwood (Buxus sempervirens L.) is threatened by the gall-forming psyllid Psylla buxi (L.) (Hemiptera, Psylloidea). Individuals of P. buxi were found as well as its symptoms for the first time in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in several locations, which indicates that this pest species has spread and is already established on boxwood across the country.     

First record of the Japanese grape leafhopper Arboridia kakogawana (Matsumura, 1932) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from Romania

A new invasive species, the Japanese grape leafhopper, Arboridia kakogawana (Matsumura). is reported for the first time in Romania. Arboridia kakogawana is a serious pest of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in East Asia (South Korea and China) and in Southern Russia (Krasnodar and Rostov regions) and Ukraine. In 2018, very high numbers of A. kakogawana were caught on yellow sticky traps in a vine plot in Romania in Northern Bucharest. Adults were trapped from early June to the middle of November. The dynamics of the adult population were measured using yellow sticky traps, and in 2018 four peaks were observed in the middle of July, in the first 10 days of August, at the beginning of September and in the first 10 days of October. The first overwintering adults appeared from the beginning of June. Foliar symptoms associated with the trophic activity of the leafhopper were observed on grapevine and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.)). Yellow sticky traps used in prior studies in the Bucharest area were re‐examined and the Japanese leafhopper was discovered on these, which leads to the conclusion that the species has been present at least since 2016 in this area. This is the first report of A. kakogawana in Romania and in the European Union.     

First record of the mealybug Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, 1923 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) in Algeria

The mealybug Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) is recorded from Algeria for the first time. This pest was first detected in the summer of 2018 in private gardens in Salamandre, on the coastal side of Mostaganem City in north‐western Algeria, feeding on three ornamental plants: Hibiscus rosa‐sinensis L., Hibiscus syriacus L. (Malvaceae) and Cestrum nocturnum L. (Solanaceae). In October 2018, it was also found on Aloysia citriodora Palàu (Verbenaceae) growing near Hibiscus. The first samples collected had been attacked by hymenopteran parasitoids. Surveys of ornamental nurseries and greenhouses growing vegetables in the area indicate that, at present, P. madeirensis seems to be restricted to ornamental plants. More surveys over larger areas are needed to determine its distribution and the likely origin of its introduction to Algeria.     

New record of invasive mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Turkey

This short note reports the first record of the invasive mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Turkey. It was found on ornamental plants in the city center of Adana (Mediterranean region), but could be a threat to cotton production in the country.     

First record of Ceroplastes japonicus (Gray) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Greece and a combined approach of morphological identification and DNA barcoding

High levels of infestation of a wax soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccidae) have been observed on Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) and Diospyros kaki Thunb. (Ebanaceae) in Greece in recent years. Specimens of Ceroplastes were collected from regions of Thessaloniki, Naousa and Kavala (northern Greece) and Attica (southern Greece) in 2012–2017. The specimens were identified based on DNA barcoding and female morphological characteristics as Ceroplastes japonicus Green (Hemiptera: Coccidae).     

First record of Aethalion reticulatum (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) in Vernonia condensata (Asteraceae), a medicinal plant from Brazil

Vernonia condensata Baker, 1875 (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant from Brazil considered as a host plant of leafhopper pests in agricultural crops. Aethalion reticulatum Linnaeus, 1767 (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) was observed in V. condensata in Lavras county, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Immature and adult individuals of A. reticulatum were collected from V. condensata for identification, which represents the first recording of this pest in this plant. The presence of eggs, nymphs and adults of this insect on the plant shows that A. reticulatum has completed its life cycle, indicating that V. condensata is a potential host plant for A. reticulatum.     

First record of Prociphilus (Meliarhizophagus) fraxinifolii (Riley) [Hemiptera: Aphididae] in the Iberian Peninsula

Prociphilus (Meliarhizophagus) fraxinifolii is recorded for the first time on Fraxinus pennsylvanica in Spain. The species, which is of Nearctic origin, is also present in Europe in Hungary (from 2003), Serbia (from 2006) and Bulgaria (from 2007).     

Spread and occurrence of tulip tree aphid in Europe: new record of Illinoia liriodendri (Monell, 1879) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Hungary

The genus Illinoia is found primarily in North America. Illinoia liriodendri (Monell, 1879), the tulip tree aphid, was observed and identified for the first time in Hungary. Nymphs, apterous and alate viviparous females in colonies of I. liriodendri were found on a tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera L. (Magnoliaceae), in Debrecen, Hungary. Tulip tree aphids feed on the underside of tulip tree leaves. The consequences of this are honeydew and associated black sooty mould which is unsightly and causes sticky residues to drop onto footpaths and parked cars. If the infestation is very severe this may reduce photosynthesis. A short report is presented here on the first finding of this pest in Hungary, and its characteristics.