INSECT PESTS OF EUCALYPTUSPLANTATIONS IN SARDINIA (ITALY)

Abstract

In Sardinia (Italy), Eucalyptusplantations cover approximately 23,000 hectares, above all in the southern part ofthe island. There is a complex of phytophagous insect pests that is threatening the health status of Eucalyptustrees. Themost recent invasions include the sap-suckers, Glycaspis brimblecombei, Blastopsylla occidentalis, and the bronze bug,Thaumastocoris peregrinus. Other pest species have also been reported, including the gall wasps, Ophelimus maskelliand Leptocybe invasa, the longhorn beetles, Phoracantha semipunctataand P. recurva, and the weevils, Gonipterusscutellatusand Polydrusus(= Metallites) parallelus. Defoliation caused by the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, have alsobeen frequently observed in various Eucalyptus-planted areas of Sardinia.