| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 2013 |
| Authors: | A. Garcia, Figueiredo, E., Valente, C., Monserrat, V. J., Branco, M. |
| Journal: | Bulletin of Insectology |
| Volume: | 66 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Pagination: | 251-256 |
| Keywords: | biological invasion, Bronze bug, eucalyptus, Hemerobius bolivari, sentinel forest |
| Abstract: | The Eucalyptus pest Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero et Dellape, (Hemiptera Thaumastocoridae) was found in a Eucalyptus arboretum in Lisbon, Portugal, in April 2012. This is the first report for this species in Western Europe. Separate surveys were conducted to assess the geographical distribution, host plant susceptibility and natural enemies of T. peregrinus. To ascertain the geographical distribution of T. peregrinus surveys were conducted between May and June 2012 at 53 sites in central and southern Portugal. T. peregrinus was present in only three sites, which were all located in Lisbon and surrounding areas suggesting an introduction pathway through the harbors or the airport in this coastal city. Of the 30 Eucalyptus species present in Lisbon’s Eucalyptus arboretum, 14 were confirmed as infested by T. peregrinus during the first survey in April 2012. In August 2012 the host range had increased to 19 Eucalyptus species, revealing an expansion phase. We report the first record of Hemerobius bolivari Banks (Neuroptera Hemerobiidae), a native of South America, preying on T. peregrinus nymphs. This is the first record of H. bolivari in Europe and we hypothesized that this predator may have reached Europe together with its prey. |