First report from Sicily (Italy) of the orange spiny whitefly, <i>Aleurocanthus spiniferus</i> (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and its potential risk for the Italian citrus industry

The orange spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus spiniferus, is reported for the first time in district of Catania, Sicily (IT). pest was observed on ornamental sour trees cultivated along roads town Catania as well commercial citrus orchards Plain Catania. Italy second European citrus-producing country, after Spain, and more than 50% Italian are produced Sicily, so spread this island new urgently requires adequate monitoring control measures to protect important crop. L'aleurode épineux du citronnier spiniferus est signalé pour la première fois en Sicile (IT), dans province de Catane. L'organisme nuisible a été observé sur des orangers amers ornementaux plantés le long routes ville Catane, ainsi que vergers d'agrumes commerciaux Plaine L'Italie deuxième pays producteur Europe après l'Espagne et plus agrumes italiens sont produits Sicile. La dissémination ce nouvel organisme cette île nécessite donc, toute urgence, mesures surveillance lutte adéquates afin protéger culture importante. Щeтиниcтaя цитpycoвaя бeлoкpылкa впepвыe oбнapyжeнa в paйoнe Кaтaния, Cицилия (Итaлия). Bpeдный opгaнизм был oбнapyжeн нa дepeвьяx дeкopaтивныx киcлыx aпeльcин, выpaщивaeмыx вдoль дopoг гopoдe тaкжe тopгoвыx цитpycoвыx caдax paвнинe Кaтaнии. Итaлия являeтcя втopoй пocлe Иcпaнии eвpoпeйcкoй cтpaнoй пo пpoизвoдcтвy цитpycoвыx, бoлee итaльянcкиx пpoизвoдитcя Cицилии. B cвязи c этим, pacпpocтpaнeниe этoм ocтpoвe этoгo нoвoгo вpeднoгo opгaнизмa cpoчнo тpeбyeт нaдлeжaщeгo мoнитopингa и мep бopьбы для зaщиты этoй вaжнoй кyльтypы. Whiteflies (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) among main pests Italy. All them have been introduced over last half century or so. In particular, six whitefly species recorded during three four decades 20th century, namely Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell), Bemisia afer (Priesner & Hosny), B. sp. gr. tabaci (Gennadius), Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead), Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana) Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Rapisarda, 1990; Martin al., 2000). Two additional species, (Quaintance) Paraleyrodes minei Iaccarino, current (Porcelli, 2008; Jesu 2011; Cioffi 2013; Longo Rapisarda, 2014). One most recently A. has very slowly its detection 2008. Initially, dispersal limited Apulia region, taking 5 years west north areas where it (Kenawy Apart from regions Basilicata, Campania, Emilia-Romagna Latium, especially urban mainly plants (EPPO, 2017, 2019; EFSA Plant Health Panel, 2018; Bariselli 2019). Probably native South-East Asia, extremely widespread, also occurs other Asian countries such Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan Sri Lanka, many Africa Oceania, Hawaiian Islands (USA) (Jansen Porcelli, EPPO, 2021). Europe, following finding 2008), Albania, Croatia, Greece Montenegro (Šimala Masten, Radonjić 2014; Šimala 2015; Kapantaidaki al, Nugnes 2020; Until now, never either two (Calabria Sicily) almost 80% cultivations located. Therefore, presence paper, presents risk industry Identification material collected based morphology fourth-instar nymphs, prepared mounted slides described by Rizzo al. (2021) phase contrast microscope (Olympus BF51TF). Characters examined nymphs correspond fall within morphometric range, stated Jansen Porcelli (2018). Adults 1.3–1.7 mm long, can be easily recognized their greyish colour, due wax powder coating light body. Nymphs flattened, oval shape, black, with white marginal waxy fringe; nymph (puparium) 0.8–1.3 0.5–1.0 wide, typically several pairs glandular spines characteristically arranged dorsum. Useful diagnostic features discern both adults close representatives genus Quaintance provided Kanmiya (2011), Gillespie (2012), highly polyphagous feeding belonging 40 families. Rutaceae Citrus at serious threatened which, however, tends adapt live wild flora growing areas, newly colonized regions. eastern coast island, colonies (Figure 1) were noted late December 2020, some avenues squares, mixed population Wooly floccosus, black parlatoria scale, Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas). Timely inspections carried out citrus-growing Eastern allowed insect January 2021. Here already widely present infesting crops countryside Caltagirone, plain (Eastern Sicily). An accurate investigation extent diffusion Sicilian groves needed urgently. producer (after Spain), about 140 000 hectares an overall production fruits reaching 2.9 million tonnes year 2019 (FAOSTAT, concentrated (with 99% total national area) southern islands, Sardinia latter one 1.6 (e.g. 55% production), followed Calabria (765 thousand tonnes, 26% Puglia (193 7%), Basilicata (112 4%) (73 3%). scenario depicting cultivation significant economic importance crop threatening these infestations increasing actions contain groves.