Acizzia jamatonica: a new pest of Albizia found in Italy
In 2001, during a survey carried out in Torino (IT) on Cameraria ohridella, trees of Albizia julibrissin attacked by an unknown psyllid were observed. Later, other psyllid infestations were found in a limited area in the Valle d’Aosta and in cities of 4 provinces in Piemonte (provinces of Biella, Cuneo, Torino and Vercelli). Leaves, flowers and young shoots of affected trees can be completely colonized by juvenile and adult states, leading to partial or total desiccation of affected parts. In heavy infestations, early defoliation of trees is observed. The insect was identified as Acizzia jamatonica (Homoptera: Psyllidae). This monophagous species (feeding exclusively on Albizia) is reported in China, Korea and Japan. Research will be carried out to identify possible biological control agents which could be used to control this new psyllid.
Sources
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Alma, A.; Tedeschi, R.; Rossi, J. (2002) [Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama) a new psyllid for Europe (Homoptera: Psyllidae).]
Informatore Fitopatologico, no. 4, 64-65.
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