First report of Pochazia shantungensis in Italy
Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae, EPPO Alert List) is first reported from Italy. The species has been collected in several private and public gardens in Pistoia Province (Toscana region) based on citizen observations. Specimens were collected in September and October 2019 in a private garden in the municipality of Agliana (4 males, 5 females, 12 nymphs) and in June 2022 in another private garden in Agliana (6 males, 5 females, 6 nymphs). The authors note that the Pistoia province is an important nursery area for woody ornamental plants and consider that P. shantungensis could have been introduced with imports of plants from Asia.
New host plants are recorded, including important crop and ornamental species for the EPPO region, such as citrus, fig trees (Ficus carica), olive trees (Olea europaea), grapevine (Vitis vinifera), roses (Rosa spp.).
Sources
Stroiński A, Balderi M, Marraccini D, Mazza G (2022) First records of Pochazia shantungensis (Chou & Lu, 1977) (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Ricaniidae) in Italy. Zootaxa 5188(3), 275–282, https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5188.3.4.