First record of Macrohomotoma gladiata Kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Homotomidae), a pest of ornamental Ficus microcarpa L. f., in Morocco

Abstract

Ficus microcarpa L. f. (Moraceae) is a popular ornamental plant that grows in many urban zones in Morocco. The psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiata (Kuwayama, 1908) was found for the first time from Morocco, in August 2019, on 21 ornamental Ficus microcarpa L. f. trees in the urban area of Kénitra, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The new psyllid caused serious damage on leaves and twigs of this host plant. Rolled leaves at the tip of the twigs, white and woolly waxy secretions were also observed in the infested trees. This first record of M. gladiata in Morocco, although still regarding a limited geographic area, represents a serious threat to Ficus in the country. A morphological description of this new pest is given.

Tree insect pests and pathogens: a global systematic review of their impacts in urban areas

“…The majority of social / cultural studies were related to the loss of aesthetic / ornamental value, hazards and human health impacts. In Kénitra in Morocco, for instance, the psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiate causes considerable unsightly damages to leaves and twigs of the widely grown Indian laurel figs which may, eventually, make them undesirable as an urban ornamental tree in Morocco (Afechtal et al 2021). In the prominent Petrodvorets District of St. Petersburg in Russia, emerald ash borer infestation induced tree mortality directly endangers the unique palace and park ensembles of Peterhof and Oranienburg, a famous UNESCO World Heritage site (Volkovitsh et al (2021).…”

“…The value premium attributed to ash trees throughout the northern 10 zip codes in Milwaukee dramatically diminished after the emerald ash borer outbreak (Li et al 2019). The establishment of the aforementioned psyllid M. gladiate in Moroccan cities, seriously effecting Indian laurel figs, on the other hand, might also compromise nursery production of these plants and increase production costs (Afechtal et al 2021). Introduction of the red palm mite to north-eastern Brazil, which is the major regional producer of coconuts, is likely to significantly impact the coconut industry in the region, including in urban areas (Oliveira et al (2016).…”

Infection Patterns of a Liberibacter Associated with Macrohomotoma gladiata, a Psyllid Feeding on Ficus microcarpa

“…gladiata is Ficus microcarpa ( 24 ), and so far, M . gladiata has been found only on this plant species ( 25 – 30 ). The nymphs and adults of M .…”

“…They are native to areas including Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong ( 23 , 24 ). The distribution of this species has also expanded to other parts of the world, including Spain, Italy, the United States, and northern Africa ( 25 – 29 ). In Taiwan, adult M .…”

“…Given the increasing interest in Liberibacter ( 3 ) and the fact that M . gladiata has become a pest in different parts of the world ( 25 – 29 , 32 ), more research on the ecology of Liberibacter in M . gladiata is needed.…”