First report of Pochazia shantungensis in Russia
In Russia, a small population of Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae – EPPO Alert List) was observed for the first time in September 2022 in Sochi (Krasnodar). During a survey on ornamental plants, P. shantungensis was found on Ligustrum lucidum in the park of a sanatorium. No other findings were made in Sochi and its surroundings, thus suggesting a recent introduction.
In these studies, the presence of another Cicadellidae, Graphocephala fennahi is also reported for the first time in Russia. G. fennahi was observed in 2018 in a botanical garden in Moscow on Calystegia sepium and Rhododendron spp. It is supposed that both insects have been accidentally introduced with ornamental plants for planting.
The situation of Pochazia shantungensis in Russia can be described as follows: Present, not widely distributed.
Sources
Zhuravleva EN, Gnezdilov VM, Tishechkin DY, Mikhailenko AP, Shoshina EI, Karpun NN, Musolin DL (2023) First records of Graphocephala fennahi Young, 1977 and Pochazia shantungensis (Chou & Lu, 1977) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae, Ricaniidae) in Russia. EPPO Bulletin (early view). https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.12910