Invasive Sap-Sucker Insects in the Mediterranean Basin

Mendel, Zvi; Branco, Manuela; Battisti, Andrea

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-24744-1_10

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…The present study investigated the responses of Aleppo pine to the infestation by the honeydew-producing insect M. hellenica . The impacts of the insect’s attack range from pine growth declines and partial canopy desiccation to individual tree necroses, when combined with other abiotic and biotic stress factors ( Yeşil et al, 2005 ; Gallis, 2007 ; Mendel et al, 2016 ). These negative effects are recorded in eastern Mediterranean countries, where the giant pine scale is naturally distributed and particularly in Greece, where it was artificially introduced for promoting pine honey production.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Especially in Greece, c. 60–65% of the country’s pine honey is produced by the scale insect’s secretions ( Thrasyvoulou and Manikis, 1995 ). Due to its economic importance, the insect has been deliberately introduced in new regions in Greece in the late 90s, as well as in the Italian island of Ischia ( Eppo Global Database, 2006 ; Mendel et al, 2016 ). This practice resulted in the distribution of M. hellenica in both low altitude and mountainous regions, as well as in several islands in Greece ( Bacandritsos et al, 2004 ; Avtzis et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This practice resulted in the distribution of M. hellenica in both low altitude and mountainous regions, as well as in several islands in Greece ( Bacandritsos et al, 2004 ; Avtzis et al, 2020 ). The high population density of the giant pine scale was associated with adverse effects on the host pines, such as growth decline, branch and foliage desiccation, and, in combination with other abiotic and biotic secondary stresses, tree mortality ( Gallis, 2007 ; Mendel et al, 2016 ). A negative impact on growth of P. brutia has also been documented in Turkey ( Yeşil et al, 2005 ), where no additional artificial infestation with M. hellenica was implemented.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effective Defense of Aleppo Pine Against the Giant Scale Marchalina hellenica Through Ecophysiological and Metabolic Changes

Fotelli¹,

Lyrou²,

Avtzis³

et al. 2020

Front. Plant Sci.

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Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region and in other areas of the world, where it has been introduced due to its adaptive capacity to xerothermic conditions. The giant pine scale Marchalina hellenica often infests Aleppo pine, as well as other pines, in several southeastern European countries, causing pine declines. When combined with the expected intensified heat and drought events in eastern Mediterranean, the impact of this biotic parameter on the host pines may be exacerbated. The importance of understanding the defense mechanisms of Aleppo pine is emphasized by the recent invasion of the pine scale in new regions, like Australia, lacking the insect’s natural enemies, where more intense negative effects on pine species may occur. To date, Aleppo pine’s physiological responses to the infestation by M. hellenica are largely unknown. This study aimed at assessing the responses of Aleppo pine to the giant pine scale attack, both on an ecophysiological and a metabolic level. For this purpose, gas exchange, needle water status, and carbon and nitrogen content were measured during 1 year on healthy and infested adult trees. M etabolic profiling of Aleppo pine needles was also performed before, during, and after the high feeding activity of the insect. The maintenance of stable relative water content, δ13C signatures, and chlorophyll fluorescence in the needles of infested pines indicated that infestation did not induce drought stress to the host pines. At the peak of infestation, stomatal closure and a pronounced reduction in assimilation were observed and were associated with the accumulation of sugars in the needles, probably due to impaired phloem loading. At the end of the infestation period, tricarboxylic acids were induced and phenolic compounds were enhanced in the needles of infested pines. These metabolic responses, together with the recovery of photosynthesis after the end of M. hellenica intense feeding, indicate that in the studied region and under the current climate, Aleppo pine is resilient to the infestation by the giant pine scale. Future research should assess whether these promising defense mechanisms are also employed by other host pines, particularly in regions of the world recently invaded by the giant pine scale, as well as under more xerothermic regimes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effective Defense of Aleppo Pine Against the Giant Scale Marchalina hellenica Through Ecophysiological and Metabolic Changes

Fotelli¹,

Lyrou²,

Avtzis³

et al. 2020

Front. Plant Sci.

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“…First, it is the most significant of several honeydew-producing insects in Greece and Turkey; pine honey production relies mainly on M. hellenica honeydew in both the countries [ 1 , 2 ]. For this reason, it has been intentionally introduced at many natural pine forests in these countries and its population has increased locally [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Second, it is a pine pest as it feeds on pine sap and can cause increment loss, desiccation, branch dieback, increasing crown transparency and tree decline [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this reason, it has been intentionally introduced at many natural pine forests in these countries and its population has increased locally [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Second, it is a pine pest as it feeds on pine sap and can cause increment loss, desiccation, branch dieback, increasing crown transparency and tree decline [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Furthermore, Petrakis et al [ 9 ] showed that the giant pine scale can cause decrease in diversity of pine-forest-related insects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predators of the giant pine scale, Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius 1883; Hemiptera: Marchalinidae), out of its natural range in Turkey

2021

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Marchalina hellenica is a sap sucking scale insect endemic to the Aegean basin and it has been introduced to several regions in Greece and Turkey to increase pine honey production. It is also considered as a pest since heavy infestation may leave the host trees vulnerable to secondary pests. An understanding of its natural predators would facilitate planning biocontrol programs. Although there are several studies reporting the predators of M. hellenica in its native range, there is no study identifying those in its introduced range. We aimed to determine predators of M. hellenica in Burdur, one of its introduced sites in Turkey. We carried out sampling through regular visits in an M. hellenica-infested locality nearby Burdur Lake. Through field and laboratory observations, we identified 19 species predating upon M. hellenica. Comparing predators reported in previous studies in its native range and those we found in the present study showed that 12 of the species that we found are new reports for the species predating upon M. hellenica. The highest number of predator individuals belonged to the monophagous Neoleucopis kartliana. Myrrha octodecimguttata, Chilocorus bipustulatus and Harmonia quadripunctata were also the most frequently observed predators.

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Sap-Sucking Forest Pests

Branco

Franco

Mendel

2023

Forest Entomology and Pathology

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Sap-sucker insects are distinguished by their specialized mouthparts, adapted to penetrate and suck fluids from plant tissues. Many sap-sucking insect species are of major economic importance for forests, forest nurseries, and urban trees, causing plant stress, distortion, shoot stunting, and gall formation, or transmitting plant pathogens. In this chapter, we give an overview of the diversity and biology of sap-sucker insects of forest trees, with an emphasis on the two major groups, aphids, and scale insects. We further present their ecology highlighting their biotic interactions with other organisms. Finally, we discuss sap-sucking forest pests and their management.

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Invasive Sap-Sucker Insects in the Mediterranean Basin

Cited by 10 publications

References 66 publications

Effective Defense of Aleppo Pine Against the Giant Scale Marchalina hellenica Through Ecophysiological and Metabolic Changes

Effective Defense of Aleppo Pine Against the Giant Scale Marchalina hellenica Through Ecophysiological and Metabolic Changes

Predators of the giant pine scale, Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius 1883; Hemiptera: Marchalinidae), out of its natural range in Turkey

Sap-Sucking Forest Pests

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