First record and establishment of Tuberocephalus (Trichosiphoniella) tianmushanensis Zang, (Hemiptera Aphididae) on ornamental cherry trees in Italy

Abstract

The occurrence of the Asiatic aphid Tuberocephalus (Trichosiphoniella) tianmushanensis Zang, (=Tuberocephalus (Trichosiphoniella) higansakurae hainnevilleae Remaudière and Sorin) (Hemiptera Aphididae) in Italy is reported. The species was first detected inside leaf galls of Prunus subhirtella cv. pendula trees growing outdoors at the University Botanical Garden of Padua (Italy). Further investigations demonstrated that the species is present in plant nurseries in the Veneto region. So far this species was considered eradicated in Europe, after its first incursion in France in 1993.

Keywords

• Tuberocephalus spp
• Prunus subhirtella cv. pendula
• Weeping Higan Cherry
• leaf galls
• alien insects.