A new problem for western Romania: Metcalfa pruinosa (Hemiptera:Flatidae)

Abstract

The cicada considered for this study is Metcalfa pruinosa (Say), called flatid plant hopper, a species that has recently caught the attention of experts in Romania. In year 2010, it was seen for the first time in the western part of country and it was identified by some routine observations. Is considered a non-native species knowing that originated in America. Objectives focused primarily exploration the territory in the western part, in order to report the first larval colonies and secondly identification of host plants. Observations were made during three years, 2011 to 2013 and included several points located near the western border. For monitoring of the immature stages (larvae, nymphs) direct observations were made in green spaces, parks, vineyards and orchards. Having in mind that larva is the most important stage, if we refer to damage plants, all our attention was directed to this. Somewhat, the results certify the polyphagism of this species, indicating numerous species of infested plants. Among, frequently infested with larval colonies, in green spaces, were Acer negundo, Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer campestre, Acer platanoides, Tilia cordata, Catalpa bignonioides, Juglans regia, Ligustrum vulgare, Hibiscus syriacus, etc. On the other hand, in the vineyards and orchards, plants affected were Malus domestica, Persica vulgaris, Prunus persica, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus domestica and Vitis vinifera. Currently, in the western part of Romania, over 50 host plants were identified, tree species (shrubs, trees, fruit-trees), culture plants (sunflower, soybean) and a lot of herbaceous species.

Cinci specii de insecte forestiere invazive noi în partea de nord-est a României

“…Fenomenul invaziilor biologice s-a intensificat considerabil și în România în ultimele trei decenii, în special după integrarea țării în Uniunea Europeană (Olenici și Duduman 2016), astfel că an de an se constată prezența unor noi specii în țara noastră, între care insectele sunt foarte bine reprezentate. Astfel, după anul 2007 au fost semnalate la noi specii, precum Tuta absoluta (Povolny 1994) (Cean și Dobrin, 2009), Metcalfa pruinosa (Say 1830) (Preda și Skolka 2009, Grozea et al 2015, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus 1758) (Grozea et al 2012), Cydalima perspectalis (Walker 1859) (Székely et al 2011), Halyomorpha halys (Stål 1855, Macavei et al 2015, Ciceoi et al 2017, Phyllocnistis vitegenella (Clemens 1859, Ureche 2016), Orientus ishidae (Matsumura 1902), Phlogotettix cyclops (Mulsant și Rey, 1855), Acanalonia conica (Say 1830, Chireceanu et al 2017a,b), dintre care unele au deja un impact considerabil în agricultură și horticultură.…”