First report of Empoasca fabalis in mainland Europe
Empoasca fabalis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a leafhopper pest native to tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America, has been reported for the first time in mainland Europe during an survey in south-west Portugal on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). It was detected during surveys in 2019 in Alentejo, on two farms. It was previously reported from the island of Madeira (Portugal) in 2020 and the island of La Palma (Islas Canarias, Spain) in 2000.
E. fabalis has a wide host range in its area of origin. In Madeira it has been recorded on 66 plant species across 30 different families. During infestations E. fabalis causes whitish spots, necrotic spots and leaf curling which compromises overall plant growth. As the area of cultivation of sweet potato is growing in the EPPO region, it may be useful to monitor the spread of this species in the EPPO region.
Sources
Aguin-Pombo D, Boavida C, Valdiviesso T, Trindade CS, Backus E, Mateus C (2024) Empoasca fabalis DeLong (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in European sweet potatoes: records, leaf damage, and Auchenorrhyncha insights. Phytoparasitica 52(4), 66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-024-01176-0
Aguin-Pombo D, Freitas N (2020) Empoasca fabalis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae): first report of an invasive pest of sweet potatoes in Portugal (Madeira Island). Zootaxa. 4838(1), 143-146. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4838.1.9
Lorenzo JM & Hermoso de Mendonza A (2000) Presencia de la especie americana Empoasca fabalis DeLong, 1930 (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) en la isla Canaria de La Palma. Boletín de la Asociación española de Entomología 24, 267.