First report of invasive brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) in Croatia

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), has been spreading over Europe since the first documented records from Liechtenstein in 2004 and Switzerland in 2007. It is considered to be a pest in many agricultural crops and a household nuisance. In 2017 the species was observed in Croatia for the first time, in the city of Rijeka on the north Adriatic coast. Halyomorpha halys has already been recorded in three nearby countries (Italy, Hungary and Serbia), and therefore the arrival of this species had been expected from neighbouring populations or from distant sources via trading goods. To identify the pathway of entry, the haplotypes of H. halys (Stål, 1855) individuals were analysed by comparing a part of the mitochondrial COI gene with other haplotypes present in the GenBank database. Individual specimens shared the most common haplotype with nearby Italian and Hungarian populations.     

Virulence of select entomopathogenic fungi to the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The brown marmorated stink bug. Halyomorpha halys, (BMSB) is an exotic pest causing damage to fruits and vegetables. They also transmit diseases. Integrated pest management strategies are lacking for this invasive. For the first time, information is presented on the virulence of several entomopathogenic fungi against BMSB. Three Beauveria bassiana and two Metarhizium anispoliae isolates were bioassayed against adult BMSB. One B. bassiana isolate was the active ingredient in BotaniGard^® which produced 85 and 100% mortality in 9 and 12 days post treatment, respectively. Experimental isolates ERL 1170 and ERL 1540 were also efficacious. Metarhizium anispoliae isolates produced lower mortalities than the B. bassiana isolates. Data presented showed the potential for management of BMSB with entomopathogenic fungi. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

The brown marmorated stink bug,Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Malta

Halyomorpha halys, commonly known as the brown marmorated stink bug, has been recorded for the first time from the Maltese Islands. The record is currently based on the capture of a single specimen. Information is provided on the distribution range of this polyphagous species which was accidentally introduced into Europe (Switzerland) in 2007 and since then has invaded many European countries. Morphological details are also included to aid in the discrimination of this species from similar species occurring in the Mediterranean region. Notes are provided on the feeding strategies used by this insect and the type of damage incurred on agricultural commodities, which are often rendered unsaleable.     

Distribution and damage caused by Halyomorpha halys in Italy

Since the first occurrence of Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Italy in 2012, the pest has spread in the Po Valley causing severe damage in summer 2015, particularly in pear orchards. At present, populations of H. halys have been reported in the regions of Emilia‐Romagna (Modena, Reggio Emilia and Bologna provinces), Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and Friuli. The damage caused by H. halys is typical of pentatomids and is aggravated by the pest's polyphagy and by the behaviour of adults which move continuously from plant to plant, from hedges or herbaceous crops to fruit orchards. The unpredictability of H. halys’ movements, along with the effect of the aggregating pheromone that concentrates the pest in certain areas of the orchards, therefore making chemical spraying complicated.     

Factors influencing short-term parasitoid establishment and efficacy for the biological control of Halyomorpha halys with the samurai wasp Trissolcus japonicus

BACKGROUND

Classical biological control has been identified as the most promising approach to limit the impact of the invasive pest species Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). This study investigated the parasitism rate at sites where the biocontrol agent Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was released and where its unintentional introduction took place, in the Trentino–South Tyrol region. The effect of land-use composition was studied to understand which factors favor the establishment of hosts and parasitoids, including native and exotic species.

RESULTS

The released T. japonicus were detected a year after the start of the program, with a significant parasitoid impact and discovery, compared to control sites. Trissolcus japonicus was the most abundant H. halys parasitoid, and Trissolcus mitsukurii and Anastatus bifasciatus were recorded also. The efficacy of T. mitsukurii was lower in sites where T. japonicus was successfully established, suggesting a possible competitive interaction. Parasitism level by T. japonicus at the release sites was 12.5% in 2020 and 16.4% in 2021. The combined effect of predation and parasitization increased H. halys mortality up to 50% at the release sites. Landscape composition analysis showed that both H. halys and T. japonicus were more likely to be found at sites with lower altitude and with permanent crops, whereas other hosts and parasitoids preferred different conditions.

CONCLUSION

Trissolcus japonicus showed a promising impact on H. halys, at release and adventive sites, with minor nontarget effects, mediated by landscape heterogeneity. The prevalence of T. japonicus in landscapes with permanent crops could support IPM in the future. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

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).     

茶翅蝽非典型气味受体基因的克隆及其生物信息学特征和组织特异性表达分析

为明确茶翅蝽Halyomorpha halys的非典型气味受体（odorant receptor co-receptor,Orco）基因的生物信息学特征和组织特异性表达谱,采用Trizol法提取茶翅蝽成虫触角的总RNA,利用RTPCR技术克隆其Orco基因,使用生物信息学软件对茶翅蝽Orco蛋白进行跨膜区域预测、结构分析和系统发育分析,并采用实时荧光定量PCR技术测定Orco的组织表达谱。结果表明,克隆获得茶翅蝽Orco基因并命名为Hhal Orco,该基因的开放阅读框全长1 428 bp,编码475个氨基酸。Hhal Orco蛋白的二级结构中,α螺旋占34.11%,无规则卷曲占36.84%,延伸链占29.05%;其分子质量为53.49 kD,等电点为6.16,无信号肽,是非分泌蛋白;有7个跨膜区,是疏水性蛋白,疏水性系数的平均值为0.297;预测的Hhal Orco蛋白为对称亚基构成的同源四聚体。系统进化分析发现,Hhal Orco与同为半翅目的荔蝽Tessaratoma papillosa亲缘关系最近。qPCR检测结果显示,Hhal Orco基因主要在雌雄成虫的触角中表达,在成虫的头、胸、腹、足中仅有微量表达。     

Graphosoma lineatum (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): a suitable host for mass rearing Ooencyrtus telenomicida (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

The species Ooencyrtus telenomicida (Vassiliev) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is currently being considered as a candidate for augmentative biological control agent (BCA) against several pests, including Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Protocols for mass production of a BCA need fundamental information on its biological attributes. Here we tested a possible laboratory host for the rearing of O. telenomicida: the common bug Graphosoma lineatum L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). At tested conditions, O. telenomicida biological parameters were: r_m 0.154, offspring production 84.07 specimens/female, sex ratio (% females) 71%, juvenile development time about 16 days, population doubling time 4.52 days, emergence rate about 90%.     

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.     

荔枝蝽蟓生物学特性及其防治初步研究

为了探求荔枝蝽蟓的综合防治方法,本文对荔枝蝽蟓的生物学特性(田間迁移习性和大发生因子)、药剂防治与生物防治配合的可能性,进行了初步研究。荔枝蝽蟓在广州地区年发生一代,卵期在3月上、中旬开始、盛期在3月下旬至5月中旬,以后渐少,8月底結束。职成虫越冬,越冬場所除荔枝树外,尚有龙跟树、烏欖树、黄皮树、芒果树、鴨脚木、蔭香树等。荔枝蝽蟓的成虫、若虫和卵,以多花果树上发生較多。荔枝蝽蟓的大发生,与当年花果树多少有密切关系,卵寄生蜂和鳥类也有一定抑制作用。荔枝蝽蟓的防治:收果后期噴射敌百虫(1:800倍浓度)对成、若虫都有更好防治作用;用蝽卵跳小蜂、黄腹卵蜂防治亦有一定效果。如两者结合施用,配合恰当,可減少用药次数,保持卵寄生蜂群落,从而收更全面防治效果。     

Incidence of Viruses Infecting Allium Spp. in Greece

A survey identified viruses infecting garlic, leek and onion crops and wild Allium species in Greece. Virus identification was based on ELISA, immunoelectron microscopy, and occasionally on RT-PCR. Samples of cultivated Allium species were collected from five districts, whereas samples of twenty-seven wild Allium species were also collected from all over Greece. Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV) were identified in 98.5% and 83.7% of all samples, respectively, and were found in all regions. Allexiviruses were also detected in all regions and their incidence ranged from 62.5% to 70.5% (depending on region and type of allexivirus). Garlic common latent virus (GCLV) was detected in samples from Arcadia (97.6%) and Evia (18.0%) and in one field in Larissa (23.0%). Shallot latent virus (SLV) was found only in two areas (Evros and Theva) and in fields planted with imported propagative material, from Iran and China. The incidence of virus-like symptoms in leek crops ranged from 10.0% to 90.0% in different regions and fields and all symptomatic plants were found to be infected by LYSV. Onion yellow dwarf virus was only found in seven symptomatic onion samples from southern Greece. Allium ampeloprasum spp. ampeloprasum and Allium flavum, were the only wild Allium species found to be infected with LYSV. Finally Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) was found in A. sphaerocephalon, A. guttatum, A. subhirsutum, and A. neapolitanum.     

Characterization of antixenosis to Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in soybean genotypes

Soybeans are of great importance in the world agricultural landscape, and their productive potential is significantly reduced by attacks from insect pests. Factors such as the expansion of national agricultural regions, together with no-tillage management and “off-season” maize cultivation, have favored the increase of secondary species such as Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), intensifying the damage caused by the soybean stink bug complex. The use of resistant genotypes may be a valuable strategy as an alternative to the excessive use of chemical control in crops. This study evaluated the attractiveness and feeding preferences of the green-belly stink bug in 17 soybean genotypes in different maturity groups (early, semiearly, and late) to characterize the expression of antixenosis resistance. To this end, free-choice tests of attractiveness and food preference were performed under laboratory conditions. The early genotypes PI 171451 and D 75-10169, the semiearly genotypes IAC 78-2318, “IAC 100”, IAC 74-2832, PI 227687, and “IAC 24” and the late genotypes PI 274454, PI 274453, and L 1-1-01 expressed significant levels of antixenosis against adult D. melacanthus. These results will be useful for soybean breeding programs focusing on the stink bug resistance complex.     

Eremothecium ashbyi causes soybean yeast-spot and is associated with stink bug, Riptortus clavatus

Many fusiform ascospores observed on soybean seeds with yeast spot disease symptoms differed significantly from those of Eremothecium coryli, the known causal agent of yeast spot disease in soybean. On the basis of morphological and physiological characteristics and sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer regions including the 5.8S rDNA and D1/D2 regions of 26S rDNA, this fungus was identified as E. ashbyi. Pathogenicity of E. ashbyi was confirmed by reinoculation test. This report is the report on E. ashbyi causing soybean yeast spot disease. In addition, this study showed that E. ashbyi was transmitted by the stink bug, Riptortus clavatus, as was E. coryli, the two Eremothecium yeasts may have been acquired when the stink bug fed on infected soybeans and overwintered in this insect species. The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the GeneBank/EMBL/DDBJ database as accessions AB294407 to AB294412 for E. ashbyi EA1, EA7 and EA11.     

Plant protection problems caused by phytonematodes in Greece1

The major nematode pests of cultivated plants in Greece include root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. (in almost all plants except citrus), cyst-forming nematodes Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida (in potato), Heterodera avenae (in cereals), Ditylenchus dipsaci (in vegetables and ornamental plants) and Tylenchulus semipenetrans (in citrus). Based on observations made on samples examined at Benaki Phytopathological Institute, it was confirmed that serious infestation of new kiwi orchards with Meloidogyne spp. originated from seedlings infested at the nursery. Also the wide distribution of the nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans in citrus orchards was mainly attributed to infested seedlings. The above observations led us, in 1985, to the decision to study the nematological fauna of nurseries in Greece.     

Occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atopozelus opsimus</Emphasis> preying on nymphs and adults of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycaspis brimblecombei</Emphasis>

The stink bugs genus Atopozelus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is native in the Americas, with five described species of which only three have been recorded in Brazil. In August 2007, Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves infested by lerp psyllid were collected and taken to the Forest Pest Biological Control Laboratory situated at São Paulo State University. A small green stink bug, identified as Atopozelus opsimus Elkins (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) that fed on nymphs and adult psyllids, was found on the leaves. These stink bugs presented phytophagy, omnivory and ability in opening the lerp (shell) that protect the psyllid. A. opsimus has demonstrated unusual particularities, different from many biological control agents found in nature; this predator thus deserves more attention for its potential to be evaluated.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoma glomerata</Emphasis> (Corda) Wollenw. &; Hochapfel a new threat causing cankers on shoots of peach trees in Greece

Shoot blights are common diseases of peach trees in Greece. This study is the first report of a shoot blight and canker disease of peach in Greece caused by the fungus Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenw. & Hochapfel. The pathogen caused distinct cankers with abundant gumming on shoots of peach trees. The rate of development of P. glomerata in vitro was reduced as temperatures increased from 25°C to 30°C, decreased from 25°C to 15°C, and was totally inhibited at 35 and 10°C. The rate of conidial germination and the germ tube elongation in vitro was reduced as temperatures increased from 25°C to 35°C, decreased from 25°C to 10°C, and was totally inhibited at 2–4°C. Pathogenicity tests showed that 24 peach and nectarine cultivars grown in Imathia Perfecture, Greece, were equally susceptible to P. glomerata. The fungicides thiophanate methyl, carbendazim, and tebuconazole were evaluated against the development of P. glomerata and disease symptoms. All fungicides inhibited the growth and conidial germination of P. glomereta and disease symptoms, and all 30 isolates tested were sensitive to the above fungicides. The disease caused by P. glomerata could be a threat to peach cultivation in Greece and its management should be investigated in the field.     

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 of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Armenia: Extension of its invasive range in West Asia

The data on the first findings of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Linnaeus, 1758) in Armenia are presented. The species was found in three localities in the north-eastern part of the country, characterized by subtropical climatic conditions. The species is thought to have spread naturally from neighbouring regions of Georgia or Azerbaijan.     

A survey of tobacco viruses in tobacco crops and native flora in Greece

The most important tobacco producing areas in Greece were surveyed for virus presence, from 1997 to 2000. Tobacco seedlings or plants showing virus-like symptoms were randomly collected from seedbeds or fields, respectively, and tested by ELISA, and/or mechanical inoculation onto indicator plants. Potato virus Y (PVY), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were detected in all sampling areas, with TMV mainly found in oriental varieties. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) consisted a serious endemic virus in Northern Greece (Thrace, Central and Eastern Macedonia), whereas Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) was mainly found in regions, where alfalfa was cultivated in the vicinity of tobacco crops. Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV) was detected in several areas but always in very low incidence (<0.01%). Surveys were also conducted to assess the potential reservoir hosts of PVY, CMV and AMV among weeds collected from highly infected tobacco fields from 1998 to 2000. Among 3450 samples tested for PVY, plants from 17 species in 10 families were found infected. For CMV, 2891 weed samples were tested and 19 species in 12 families were positive. Assays for AMV infection were made on 961 samples and 12 species in 9 families were identified as hosts of this virus.     

Vegetative Compatibility amongVerticillium dahliae Isolates from Watermelon in Greece

Vegetative compatibility among 17 isolates ofVerticillium dahliae obtained from watermelon, originating from eight regions of Greece, was investigated using complementation tests between nitrate-nonutilizing(nit) mutants. Among 529 chlorate-resistant sectors obtained, only 107 werenit mutants. These mutants were paired with tester strains (from Greece and other countries) of previously described vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs), and also were paired in many combinations among themselves. All isolates were self-compatible. Sixteen isolates were found to belong to VCG2. Only isolate V75 could not be assigned to a VCG, because the threenit mutants obtained from it showed negative reactions with the tester strains of four VCGs and with complementary mutants from other isolates. Based on this sample, we conclude that the population ofV. dahliae from watermelon in Greece is homogeneous in respect to VCG.