Host Plants of the Immature Stages of the Invasive Longan Lanternfly, Pyrops candelaria (L.) (Hemiptera, Fulgoridae) in Taiwan

Abstract

The longan lanternfly, Pyrops candelaria (L.), has been invading mainland Taiwan since 2018, but the distribution of the species has been confined to northern Taiwan until now. The manual removal of the adult insects from the longan is still the main control strategy because of the uncertainty around other key host plants, especially for eggs and nymphs. In this study, large numbers of eggs and nymphs were found on Triadica sebifera (L.) Small and Acacia confusa Merr. The occurrence of immature individuals on Triadica sebifera increased with developmental stage from eggs to the last instar from May to July 2021. On 30 April, the first egg mass was recorded. More egg masses were recorded in May, and some could be found in July. In May, only two younger instars were detected. Third and fourth instars began to appear from June, while the fifth instar was mainly recorded from July onwards. The results of this study provide great strategic value for decision-makers to allow for effective control of the target tree species. For now, we proved that longan and pomelo trees, preferred by adults, are not the key hosts for the immature stages of this insect, because few immature individuals were found on them. Therefore, we suggest that the existence of Triadica sebifera should be considered when analyzing possible spreading areas of this invasive lanternfly in Taiwan.

Screen and Character a New Iflavirus Virus in the Fruit Tree Pest Pyrops candelaria

“…Therefore, it is very important to explore the potential microbial pathogens carry by main longan pests and their transmission mechanism. The P. candelaria is widely distributed in China, India, and many other countries in Southeast Asia and harms a variety of fruit trees [22]. It is also the main pest of longan.…”

“…The Homoptera insect, Pyrops candelaria, is strange and novel for its long nose and brightly colorful wings. P. candelaria is also called Longan lanternfly, mainly damaging longan, litchi, olive, orange, mulberry, mango, and pomelo crops by sucking the juice from the trunks of these fruit trees [21,22]. Longan lanternflies prefer warm temperatures and high moisture, so they are distributed in the fruit-bearing forests in the low-altitude regions of the tropic and subtropic area, and they are found mainly in China (including Hainan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hong Kong), Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sikkim, India, and Indonesia [21,22].…”

“…P. candelaria is also called Longan lanternfly, mainly damaging longan, litchi, olive, orange, mulberry, mango, and pomelo crops by sucking the juice from the trunks of these fruit trees [21,22]. Longan lanternflies prefer warm temperatures and high moisture, so they are distributed in the fruit-bearing forests in the low-altitude regions of the tropic and subtropic area, and they are found mainly in China (including Hainan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hong Kong), Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sikkim, India, and Indonesia [21,22]. The development of longan lanternflies experiences three stages: egg, nymph, and adult, and their host preference are broad in the nymph stage, but become narrow to a few plant species in the adult stage, and the invasion of longan lanternflies serious endangers the culture and harvest of pomelo and longan trees [22].…”