Insect Pests of Eucalyptus Plantations in Sardinia (Italy)

Abstract

Insect pest of Eucalyptus plantations in Sardinia (Italy) In Sardinia (Italy), Eucalyptus plantations cover approximately 23,000 hectares, above all in the southern part of the island. There is a complex of phytophagous insect pests that is threatening the health status of Eucalyptus trees. The most 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 maskelli and Leptocybe invasa, the longhorn beetles, Phoracantha semipunctata and P. recurva, and the weevils, Gonipterus scutellatus and Polydrusus (= Metallites) parallelus. Defoliation caused by the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, have also been frequently observed in various Eucalyptus-planted areas of Sardinia.

Population Dynamics and Seasonal Abundance of Thaumastocoris Peregrinus in Eucalyptus Plantations in Sardinia (Italy)

“…The adult population dynamics observed during the first monitoring year in Sardinia was comparable to that reported for other infested regions in Italy (SASSO et al, 2014). In 2015, the adult dynamics followed the same pattern in all three areas in Sardinia, despite the different environmental conditions of the monitored locations (DEIDDA et al, 2016;MANNU et al, 2018). However, a few differences in population dynamics, as well as seasonal abundances, were found from area to area in the second year.…”

“…In addition, the adult dynamics recorded in 2016 in central Sardinia was different to those of northern and southern Sardinia observed in the same and previous years. Population dynamics and seasonal abundance are generally affected by different factors, including management and environmental conditions, which both directly and indirectly influence other Eucalyptus pest species (LAUDONIA et al, 2014;MANNU et al, 2018). Of these, water availability, especially during the summer, is considered one of the most influencing factors as it allows a good foliage development which might influence supsucking insect feeding (LAUDONIA et al, 2014).…”

“…Eucalyptus trees are commonly found in several agricultural and forest landscapes in Sardinia and their flowers are valuable sources of nectar and pollen (FLORIS et al, 2007). The presence of T. peregrinus in such areas has a negative impact on the phytosanitary status of Eucalyptus, which has already been affected by several phytophagous species such as psyllids, particularly the red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera Aphalaridae) (DEIDDA et al, 2016;MANNU et al, 2018).…”

“…A monitoring network in Sardinia covering different Eucalyptus distribution areas was carried out to: 1) obtain information on the distribution of T. peregrinus in Sardinia; 2) evaluate the seasonal abundance and main periods of infestation of bronze bug under Mediterranean conditions. We had already conducted similar study for G. brimblecombei (FLORIS et al, 2018;MANNU et al, 2018).…”

Detection and distribution of Ophelimus migdanorum and its possible biocontroller Closterocerus chamaeleon in productive areas of Eucalyptus globulus in Chile

“…Closterocerus chamaeleon is a recognized parasitoid of O. maskelli (Floris et al, 2018), though Protasov et al (2007b) indicate that it is possible that other species of the gall-inducing Ophelimus in leaves of Eucalyptus can also serve as hosts. In this study, the emergence of O. maskelli was not obtained from the breeding chambers, nor its presence been reported in Chile (Aquino et al, 2015).…”