DISTRIBUTION AND GENETIC ANALYSIS OF WILD-LIVING EURASIAN BEAVERS IN CENTRAL ITALY

The presence of the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber L. has been recently confirmed with two separated populations in Tuscany (Central Italy) and probably represents the result of an unofficial release. In late spring and summer 2021, seven reliable records of Eurasian beaver have been collected in Umbria and other neighbouring regions, implying that the distribution of this large rodent is even wider than previously reported. In this short work, we updated the distribution of this protected species in Central Italy, by collecting and mapping all the confirmed occurrences. Beavers were proved to be present throughout the Tiber (Tevere) river basin in both provinces of Umbria, and another individual has been road-killed in the Marche region, near the border with Tuscany. Other single signs of presence occurred in Emilia Romagna and Latium. The only hair sample we were able to collect confirmed it as the Eurasian beaver species. No reliable evidence is available on the number of free-ranging beavers in Central Italy, and systematic monitoring is needed. Before any management and conservation action, further data are required concerning distribution range, potential origin, social perception, and the effects on the ecosystems.

VIRULENCE OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES TO THREE SOFT SCALE INSECT SPECIES

Virulence of commercial strains of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser), Steinernema feltiae Filipjev and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae), were tested on young females of Pulvinaria hydrangeae Steinweden, Partenolecanium corni (Bouché) and Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) and a native strain of H. bacteriophora was tested on citricola scale, C. pseudomagnoliarum. The laboratory tests were carried out in small plastic Petri dishes with infective juveniles (IJ) applied on filter paper covering the bottom. Results showed that all EPN tested were virulent to all three soft scale insect species. Recorded mortality of insects at the highest concentration of approximately 50 IJ per cm2 exceeded 64% in all combinations of nematode and scale species tested. Within the same nematode concentration, scales’ mortality of 90% and above was recorded for P. corni with all nematode species, P. hydrangeae with S. carpocapsae (Nemastar) and C. pseudomagnoliarum with native H. bacteriophora strain. All scale species were good hosts for all nematode species. This is the first report of EPNs to parasitize soft scale insects and one of the few among Coccoidea. The level of parasitism recorded is promising for potential use in management of scale insects.

IMPACT OF NATURAL ENEMIES ON LARVAE OF THAUMETOPOEA BONJEANI (LEPIDOPTERA NOTODONTIDAE) IN ASSOCIATION WITH THAUMETOPOEA PITYOCAMPA IN NORTHERN ALGERIA

The cedar processionary moth, Thaumetopoea bonjeani (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), is a serious pest of the Atlas cedar Cedrus atlantica in north-western Africa and it is involved in the decline of this endangered tree species. Natural enemies of the cedar processionary moth are poorly known, especially for parasitoids, predators and pathogens of the larval-pupal life stages. Mature larvae were collected and examined in 2014 and 2015 in natural stands of Atlas cedar in the Djurdjura (northern Algeria), in occurrence with pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa. The overall mortality rate of larvae of Thaumetopoea bonjeani ranged from 26.4% to 31.1%, with generalist predators and parasitoids being more effective than pathogens. Four primary parasitoid species were recorded, of which four tachinid flies and one braconid wasp, as well as four predatory beetles and one fungus. The most important species were the carabid Calosoma sycophanta and the tachinid Compsilura concinnata. The cooccurrence of T. bonjeani and T. pityocampa may offer to generalist natural enemies an extended period of availa- bility of similar preys, as the two processionary moths have different life cycles. The sharing of natural enemies between the two species of Thaumetopoea can mitigate the outbreaks of both species.

FIRST RECORD OF THE GENUS SERANGIUM BLACKBURN, 1889 (COLEOPTERA COCCINELLIDAE) IN ITALY

During a recent survey of ladybirds in a citrus orchard in Sicily, a specimen of the genus Serangium (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) was found. This genus is recorded here for the first time from Italy. Species of this genus was used as an agent of biological control against aleyrodids, and stable populations were previously reported from Europe (France and Corsica) and in the Caucasian area. Literature of this genus recorded for Europe two species: Serangium montazerii Fürsch, 1995 and S. parcesetosum Sicard, 1929. The single specimen collected un- able us to a specific attribution.

THE ALIEN PSYLLID MACROHOMOTOMA GLADIATA KUWAYAMA, 1908 (HEMIPTERA PSYLLOIDEA HOMOTOMIDAE): SPREAD AND DAMAGE OF A RECENTLY RECORDED PEST OF FICUS MICROCARPA TREES IN TUNISIA

During an inventory study of Psylloidea species carried out in Tunisia, the alien psyllid, Macrohomotoma gladiata Kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera Psylloidea Homotomidae), recently recorded in the country, has been detected on ornamental Ficus microcarpa, in public and private parks and gardens in many locations of the urban areas of the governorates of Tunis and Ariana, showing a fast spread in the area. This psyllid species has been observed causing damages and vegetative disorders to Ficus trees, especially white wax secretion, leaf wrapping and honeydew excretion on leaves and twigs. The number of infested trees increased from our first observations in late 2020 to early 2021. An Anthocoris sp. (Hemiptera Anthocoridae) has been observed to naturally prey on M. gladiata in many investigated locations.

APHIS CORDUBENSIS SP. N. (HEMIPTERA APHIDIDAE) LIVING ON ABUTILON MEGAPOTAMICUM (MALVACEAE) FROM CORDOBA PROVINCE (ARGENTINA)

Aphis cordubensis sp. n. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is described from apterous and alate viviparous females, oviparous females and males collected in Villa Carlos Paz (Córdoba, Argentina) on Abutilon megapotamicum. A summarized identification key for apterous viviparae of Aphis species recorded worldwide on Malvaceae is presented. The diagnostic features allowing to differentiate the new species from the Aphis species known in South America are presented. The new species should be able to live in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay on wild and cultivated plants of Abutilon and perhaps on other genera of Malvaceae. The species is potentially invasive and trade and cultivation in gardens and plant nurseries of Abutilon and close genera must be monitored.

FIRST RECORD OF CINARA (CINARA) CEDRI CEDRI MIMEUR (HEMIPTERA APHIDIDAE) IN BULGARIA

In 2017, damages caused by aphids were observed for the first time on Cedar trees in Bulgaria. In 2020, apterae specimens of Cinara (Cinara) cedri cedri were collected and identified on Cedrus atlantica and C. deodara in seven localities both on young trees in forest nurseries and on old trees in plantations or in green urban systems. The pest appears to be a serious threat to the health status and decorative characteristics of Cedar trees. In case of high population density, the needles are covered with large honeydew secretions and sooty mold.

FIRST REPORT OF GEOSMITHIA PALLIDA AND G. LANGDONII ASSOCIATED WITH LIPARTHRUM COLCHICUM IN CENTRAL ITALY

Bark and wood-boring beetles feeding on coniferous and deciduous trees in different forest ecosystems are often associated with various species of fungi. In 2019, widespread attacks of Liparthrum colchicum Semenov (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae) were observed on Laurus nobilis L. in Tuscany (Italy). Samples of colonized terminal twigs were collected to investigate the presence of phytopathogenic fungi associated with the scolytid. Two different colonies of the Geosmithia genus were identified as Geosmithia pallida and Geosmithia langdonii. To our knowledge this is the first report of G.pallida and G. langdonii associated with L. colchicum on Bay tree, in Italy.

NEW RECORDS OF SEED BEETLES (CHRYSOMELIDAE BRUCHINAE) OF THE ASPROMONTE NATIONAL PARK; A STUDY IN THE CALABRIAN APENNINES, ITALY

In this note original data on the Bruchids of the Aspromonte National Park are reported. The specimens examined were surprisingly found within the field activities for a project aimed to deepen the saproxylic coleopteran fauna of the Aspromonte National Park (Calabrian Apennines, Italy), in three different agroforestry systems dominated by chestnut. Out of a total of 134 specimens 129 have been identified as belonging to 3 genera and 14 species, namely: Paleoachantoscelides gilvus (Gyllenhal, 1839), Bruchidius dispar (Gyllenhal, 1833), Bruchidius murinus (Boheman, 1829), Bruchidius olivaceus (Germar, 1824), Bruchidius seminarius (Linnaeus, 1767), Bruchidius tibialis (Boheman, 1829), Bruchidius varius (Olivier, 1795), Bruchidius imbricornis (Panzer, 1795), Bruchidius pygmaeus (Boheman, 1833), Bruchidius trifolii (Motschulsky, 1873), Bruchus brachialis Fahraeus, 1839, Bruchus pisorum (Linnaeus, 1758), Bruchus rufipes Herbst, 1783, Bruchus viciae.

EVALUATION OF CHRYSOPERLA CARNEA COMPLEX AND COCCINELLID PREDATORS AS BIOCONTROL AGENTS OF RICANIA SPECULUM (WALKER, 1851) (HEMIPTERA RICANIIDAE)

Ricania speculum is an alien insect feeding on several host plants belonging to several families, including important vegetables, crops, ornamental plants, wild plants as well as trees. For the first time, recently, Chrysoperla sp. and coccinellid beetles have been observed preying on this species in the field on Citrus sp. and Laurus nobilis plants. The main purposes of this work were to evaluate the possible predation capability of these groups of insects and determine their prey preference in laboratory trials. In the choice trials, R. speculum nymphs were paired in a confined space and exposed for 24h to single predators: Ch. carnea complex and to the coccinellids Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Adalia bipunctata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata. Specimens of Aphis rumicis, an aphid frequently found on her baceous plants, were used as a control prey. In the cage trials, a single Ch. carnea complex second-instar larva was placed into a jar containing a tomato plant with ten R. speculum nymphs. In the choice trials, a high mortality percentage of both preys was observed with the Ch. carnea complex, while in those with Coccinellids only high A. rumicis mortality was reported. In the cage trials, 13% mortality of R. speculm was recorded after 24h while after 72h and 168h prey mortalities reached 18% and 25%, respectively. The results of the study showed that larvae of the Ch. carnea complex could be potential predators of R. speculum, while coccinellids do not seem promising predators of this alien species.