First record from Greece of the invasive red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera Psyllidae) and its associated parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera Encyrtidae)
Authors
Salvatore Bella
Dipartimento di Gestione dei Sistemi Agroalimentari e Ambientali (DiGeSA), Sez. Entomologia applicata, Università degli Studi di Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania
Carmelo Rapisarda
Dipartimento di Gestione dei Sistemi Agroalimentari e Ambientali (DiGeSA), Sez. Entomologia applicata, Università degli Studi di Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania
Keywords:
Eucalyptus camaldulensis, new psyllid pest, natural enemy, Greek mainland, Corfù
Abstract
The occurrence of the invasive pest red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), infesting Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (Myrtaceae), is reported for the first time from mainland Greece and the Ionian island of Corfu. This species, native to Australia, has been first reported for the Palaearctic Region in 2008, when it has been recorded from the Iberian Peninsula, subsequently spreading to other Mediterranean countries. Updated information on geographical distribution is provided. Association with its specific antagonist Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was also observed and level of parasitism was investigated. The spread of P. bliteus in Greece is due to an accidental introduction, probably together with its host, as already happened in New Zealand, Brazil, Spain, Italy and Morocco.
