Spread and occurrence of tulip tree aphid in Europe: new record of Illinoia liriodendri (Monell, 1879) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Hungary

Abstract

The genus Illinoia is found primarily in North America. Illinoia liriodendri (Monell, 1879), the tulip tree aphid, was observed and identified for the first time in Hungary. Nymphs, apterous and alate viviparous females in colonies of I. liriodendri were found on a tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera L. (Magnoliaceae), in Debrecen, Hungary. Tulip tree aphids feed on the underside of tulip tree leaves. The consequences of this are honeydew and associated black sooty mould which is unsightly and causes sticky residues to drop onto footpaths and parked cars. If the infestation is very severe this may reduce photosynthesis. A short report is presented here on the first finding of this pest in Hungary, and its characteristics.

The first record of tulip tree aphid, Illinoia liriodendri (Hemiptera: Aphididae), from Slovakia - short communication

“…The I. liriodendri colonies were attacked by H. axyridis in both places and this predator was also reported from tulip tree aphid colonies in Hungary (Bozsik 2012). In Nitra's city park mummified aphids parasitised by Praon sp.…”

“…Parasitoids of I. liriodendri were well studied in North America (Krombein et al 1979;Zuparko & Dahlsten 1993), but this information is missing from Europe. There is just a note on an undetermined parasitoid of the genus Aphelinus in Hungary (Bozsik 2012). During our observations of tulip tree aphid colonies, an activity of ants and soldier beetle, Malthinus flaveolus (Herbst 1786), attracted by honeydew occurred on infested tulip trees.…”

“…Illinoia liriodendri (Monell in Riley & Monell 1879), the tulip tree aphid, is native to the eastern United States, but invaded also northern California and other parts of the western United States (Van Driesche et al 1996). On the European continent, this species was first detected in France in 1998 (Rabasse et al 2005) and has since been reported in other European countries, including Italy, UK, Germany, Slovenia, Luxemburg, Greece, Hungary, and Portugal (Blackman & Eastop 1994;Limonta 2001;EPPO 2007;Jucker et al 2008;Bozsik 2012;Bella 2013). Besides Europe, the tulip tree aphid has already been reported from East Asia, in Japan (Sugitomo 1999) and South Korea (Kim et al 2011).…”

“…Symptoms of damage include mildly distorted buds and foliage of host plants in about mid-June. Heavy infestations occur mainly on the leaves, and the aphids excrete considerable quantities of honeydew, which causes sooty mould on the leaves of host plants (Alford 2012;Bozsik 2012). Black sooty mould associated with the honeydew is only an aesthetic problem, but if it is very severe, it may limit photosynthesis (Dreistadt & Dahlsten 1988).…”

“…(Krombein et al 1979;Zuparko & Dahlsten 1993). Bozsik (2012) mentioned that I. liriodendri colonies were attacked by Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773). This paper briefly informs about the first observation of I. liriodendri in Slovakia.…”