The adults of the Aleyrodidae (whiteflies) are small winged insects usually yellow-white in colour; some species bear grey marks on the wings or are darker, even brown-black. Immatures may be misidentified as aphids or scale insects, but the “vasiform orifice” will help in separating whiteflies from other groups in slide mounted and red-stained puparia. All instars secrete wax, in the shape of powder, curls, threads or as vitreous layers. They are called “whiteflies” due to their general whitish appearance. They are mostly bisexual, but several species or “strains” show both arrhenotokous and thelytokous parthenogenesis, usually in relation to insemination. The post-embryonic development is neometabolic, consisting of four larval instars, pupae (immotile and not-feeding) and adults. Whiteflies share with other Sternorrhyncha the piercing-sucking mouthparts and the specialized “filter chamber” mid gut. They suck plant sap, killing their host plants in heavy infestations and excreting abundant liquid faeces as honeydew drops. These drops cover infested plants, which then blacken because of colonization by sooty mold fungi. The blackened plants or products are untradeable due to the sooty mold. Whiteflies may also cause physiological changes and transmit viruses. In the Mediterranean Region whiteflies live mostly on woody perennial plants. Natural or classical biological control programmes have successfully controlled current or potential pest species by the introduction of effective natural enemies. Aleurocanthus spiniferus Quaintance is currently of major concern to citriculture in the Mediterranean Region because it was recently introduced and no indigenous natural enemies seem to control it. As in the past, unwanted, introduced whiteflies may become key pests of citrus in the Mediterranean Region.

This contribution focuses on recent intercep- tions and introductions of alien scale insects and their current distribution in European and Mediterranean countries. Data and collections were gathered in mar- kets, nurseries, and botanical gardens, mostly in Italy, either indoors or outdoors. New or recent records of the following alien species are presented: Exallomochlus hispidus (Morrison); Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) (Pseudococcidae); Coccus viridis (Green); Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) (Coccidae); Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead); Aspidiotus destructor Signoret; Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead; Fiorinia fioriniae Targioni Tozzetti; Lepidosaphes pinnaeformis (Bouché); Pseudaulacaspis brimblecombei Williams (Diaspididae). New data and pest status of Phoenicococcus marlatti Cockerell (Phoenicococcidae) and Trabutina mannipara (Hemprich & Ehrenberg) (Pseudococcidae) are also re- ported. The possible repeated introductions of the latter from North Africa to south Italy by trans-Mediterranean winds, is hypothesized.

The Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) is the major pest for both amenity and economic palms all over the world. RPW inflicts severe economic losses and several techniques have been proposed to lower its population below the economic threshold. Chemical control on healthy (symptomless) palms are the only suitable approach to control RPW infesting Phoenix canariensis because of its preventive and protective actions (2P). Different techniques permit to distribute insecticides. Six different active ingredients were tested: Imidacloprid, Thiametoxam, Dimethoate and Abamectin by tree injection, and Clothianidin and Azadirachtin through tree injection and soil application. The research was performed over a total of 111 Phoenix palms, namely eighty-nine P. canariensis plus twenty-two P. dactylifera in different countries (Italy, Malta and Syria). Treatments were carried out in homogeneous plots testing different insecticides and distribution techniques in order to evaluate distinctive protective and preventive effects for each active ingredient. We compared uptake dynamics, side effects and effectiveness along with the fallouts of phytosanitary treatments in urban centres and commercial palm plantations, insecticide phytotoxicity, cost effectiveness of the different distribution methods.

The morphology of the 1st-instar, 2nd-instar male and female, 3rd-instar female and adult female of Kermes vermilio Planchon (Hemiptera Coccoidea Kermesidae) are described and illustrated; micrographs of some morphological details are also provided. An identification key to instars and a table showing the present status of knowledge on the morphology of European and Mediterranean Kermes instars is included.

The first-instar nymph, second- and third-instar female nymphs and the adult female of Kermes echinatus Balachowsky (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Kermesidae) are described and illustrated; micrographs of morphological details are also provid- ed. The species was collected on the island of Crete (Greece) and on mainland Greece, new localities for this species, and are compared with Israeli specimens from where it was originally described.

Armoured scales exhibit a peculiar way of interaction with their habitat. This contribution focuses on the symbiosis between Diaspididae and Septobasidium, a Genus of Fungi. The phenomenon, healthy or infected armoured scales embedded into a thick and often two layered epiphytic fungal mat, is scarcely reported in, despite the large amount of Diaspididae collection in the country. The meaning of symbiosis is unclear, being the fungus considered a true symbionts (mutualist) or a parasite (entomopathogenic). Collection and accurate scrutiny of perennial smooth-bark trees and shrubs in resulted in abundant material and searching-dependent findings of the wanted association. Studies on the growth of fungal patch demonstrates that the fungus is a true entomopathogenic antagonist of armoured scales, whose species depends on its host- plant preference.

Red Palm Weevil is a key pest of palm trees worldwide. Various studies have been conducted on life history and behavior of RPW, however some key points in egg laying period is still missing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the egg-laying timing as a number of egg /day /female, time interval between egg laying event and the female bio-etiological needs while ovipositing. The study was carried out through recording the behavior of adults with PC-driven video cameras equipped with natural bright and artificial IR light source. RPW was collected and allowed to lay eggs on Phoenix canariensis petiole. The number of eggs per day is variable according to time and female age; the average number of eggs per event is 4.13. Moreover egg laying timing and the time of deposition are quite variable while eggs can be laid anytime during the day and night. The average egg-laying time was 54.52 sec. The observations showed that the females need to fly, feed and mate before egg laying process.

An inventory was carried out at five stations in the oasis of Ziban, an oasis that is characterized by its high-quality dates, in order to study the relationships between the oasis ecosystem and its insect fauna. Specimens were sampled using pitfall traps contain- ing ethylene glycol as a preservative. In total, 115 arthropod species were collected during 5 months of survey. These species belonged to 61 families, 17 orders, and 4 classes (12 orders from Insecta, 3 from Arachnida, 1 from Chilopoda, and 1 from Malocostraca). The most represented insect orders were Coleoptera (44.42%), Hymenoptera (20.86%), and Lepidoptera (7.87%). Represented in the collec- tions were phytophagous, omnivorous, and predator/parasite species. Given the large number of species collected, and the largely unknown relationships existing between the various ecological groups, this study is a first step in the description of the oasis entomofauna.

The introduction of ornamental plants into Italy for commercial and hobby purposes has provided scale insects with many chances of dispersion. Coccoidea often go unnoticed at border controls due to their cryptic lifestyle. Moreover, many of the introduced alien species become acclimatized outdoors, possibly due to the effects of urban pollution and global warming. The authors attempt to analyse this phenomenon and report on the records of new alien species in Italy, starting from the end of the Second World War. In the period 1945-1995, an average of 0.64 new introduced alien species were reported per year, whereas an average of 0.7/year were introduced between 1995 and 2005 and 1.25/year since 2005. About fifty alien species have been recorded so far in Italy, of which about 50% are presently acclimatized on ornamentals. The increase in alien species introduction is probably due to: the ever easier and faster transport and dispatch of plants in a globalized world trade; the free movement of goods within the European Union; and the weakness of the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) monitoring. Moreover the effect of global warming may have played an important role, directly enhancing the survival and development of the insects in their new environment. The authors comment and discuss the more invasive species, namely Ceroplastes japonicus Green, C. ceriferus Fabricius, Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell), Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, Phenacoccus peruvianus Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus defectus Ferris, Chrysomphalus aonidum L. and Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead.

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Spotted Wing Drosophila, SWD) is a pest that has been in- dicated as a major threat to European and Mediterranean fruit production. Its finding in Southern Italy offers interesting data to elaborate an efficient and sustainable control strategy. Materials and methods. The fly was collected during the “overhead” survey of an IAMB organic table grape vineyard by apple vinegar/wine/brown sugar bottle traps placed in and around the field. Once the presence of this pest was confirmed, traps were also hung on different host plants sur- rounding the vineyard, namely fig (Ficus carica L.), jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), wild bramble (Rubus fruticosus L.) and rough bindweed (Smilax aspera L.). Collected Drosophila adults were identi- fied via morphological parameters by comparison with published descriptions and drawings. The SWD adult population was monitored per month throughout the year and related to the average values of the temperature (◦C) and minimum relative humidity (mRH%). The survey was carried out from September 2012 to August 2013. Results and discussion. We report the finding of Drosophila suzukii in Southern Italy, Apulia Region, and its population dynamics throughout the year in the area. In addition to D. suzukii, D. melanogaster (Meigen), D. simulans (Sturtevant) and similar species were also scored. The D. suzukii dynamics appeared to be strictly correlated with the temperature and relative humidity changes throughout the year, with a great summer population decrease. This behaviour is quite different from that of other indigenous drosophilas, both pest and non-pest. Conclusion. D. suzukii has, at present, a prominent pest status and may represent a key pest of soft fruit orchards in the South-Eastern part of Italy and, namely, in Apulia. However, further investigation on the marked decrease in the SWD summer population is needed to support effective pest con- trol strategies, which include baited-lure mass trapping in Mediterranean and other warm climate areas. Such strategies should also take into consideration pest reservoirs such as secondary and semi-wild fruit species bred in the areas tested.

In accordance with the mandatory control of Flavescence dorée (FD) in Italy, a monitoring programme for the pres- ence of the phytoplasma agent of this disease and its vector Scaphoideus titanus Ball. was initiated in Apulia (southern It- aly) since 2005. Surveys were carried out annually from June to October and, whenever observed, vines with yellows-like symptoms were tested by nested PCR. For vector catching, sticky traps were placed in a few vineyards and/or nurseries in each of the six Apulian provinces and replaced every two weeks, during the whole insect fly period (mid-June to late September). In 2013, 19 adults of a leafhopper with the morphological traits of S. titanus, as determined using the Douglas and Barnett (1976) key, were captured for the first time in Apulia, on traps exposed from mid August to mid September. The collected specimens were brought to the laboratory and 17 of them were tested individually by nested PCR for the presence of phytoplasmas. The insects were in- dividually ground in CTAB-based buffer (Marzachì et al., 1998), aliquots (2 μl) of the recovered total nucleic acid were subjected to nested PCR using two pairs of generic primers (P1⁄P7, R16F2n⁄R16R2) that amplify phytoplasma 16S rD- NA (Gundersen and Lee, 1996). No positive amplifications were obtained. The few vines with yellows-like symptoms present in some vineyards were PCR-positive but, after se- quencing of their amplicons, proved to be infected by Can- didatus Phytoplasma solani, the agent of Bois noir. Whereas Bois noir is known to occur in Apulia, though sporadically, S. titanus represents a new finding and a threatening one for the well-being of the local viticultural industry.

The alien mealybug Phenacoccus defectus Ferris (Rhynchota Pseudococcidae) is recorded in Italy for the first time. The species was first starting from 2009 on potted plants of Aeonium arboreum, Echeveria sp., Sedum palmeri, Sempervivum tectorum (Cras- sulaceae) and Senecio citriformis (Asteraceae). Comments on the morphologically very similar Phenacoccus solani Ferris and Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley are discussed.

The fig wasp Odontofroggatia galili is reported for the first time from Malta. Odontofroggatia is a non-pollinating fig wasp genus associated with a narrow range of host plant species, among them Ficus microcarpa, a widespread ornamental tree native to Asia.

Gli insetti invasivi, alieni o da quarantena rappresentano una seria minaccia a scala mondiale e pongono problematiche complesse per le risorse agrarie quanto per quelle forestali. Le ricadute dei danni inflitti riguardano aspetti economici, paesaggistici e sociali. Fra questi insetti fitofagi, il Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier 1790), coleottero curculionide meglio noto come Punteruolo Rosso delle palme e diffusosi oltre i suoi habitat endemici a partire dagli anni ’80 del secolo scorso, è responsabile negli ultimi decenni della morte di palme economiche (Phoenix dactylifera) ed ornamentali (Phoenix canariensis) senza precedenti in numerose parti del mondo. Ad oggi infatti, nonostante le misure adottate e gli ingenti sforzi messi in atto per fronteggiare questa emergenza, il coleottero è ancora inarrestabile. In questo contesto la ricerca di base in entomologia gioca un ruolo chiave, spesso negletto. Infatti, la conoscenza accurata e mirata dell’interazione fra insetti infestanti e pianta ospite, ad esempio della loro capacità di trasmettere simbionti o dei loro meccanismi riproduttivi, è di fondamentale importanza proprio per l’elaborazione di efficaci strategie di controllo o gestione. Negli ultimi anni, la micro-tomografia computerizzata di raggi X ad alta risoluzione (HR micro- CT) si sta affermando come tecnica d’eccellenza per lo studio morfologico ed anatomico di un gran numero di insetti. Infatti, da un lato le dimensioni tipiche di questi organismi, in genere variabili da alcune centinaia di micron a qualche centimetro, dall’altra la presenza di esoscheletro ed altre strutture sclerotizzate (che in quanto più dense garantiscono un forte contrasto rispetto ai restanti tessuti più molli), consentono di acquisire dettagli ad altissima risoluzione (pixel size di circa 0,5 μm), ottenendo ricostruzioni ed immagini altamente descrittive. In aggiunta, la micro-CT consente di analizzare i campioni preservandone completamente l’integrità, a differenza delle tecniche più tradizionali che prevedono invece una distruzione più o meno parziale del campione, come per la preparazione di vetrini per microscopia ottica o microscopia elettronica. Questa peculiarità garantisce la possibilità di descrivere le strutture interne senza dover sezionare fisicamente l’organismo, riducendo le operazioni di preparazione del campione e il rischio di creare artefatti. Infine, l’analisi tomografica può essere molto utile per effettuare un’indagine preliminare non distruttiva del campione, sul quale poi effettuare successive indagini distruttive (ad esempio individuare i piani migliori per effettuare sezioni, etc.).In questo contributo, l’applicazione della micro-CT per lo studio dell’ultimo tratto dell’apparato riproduttore della femmina del punteruolo rosso ha consentito di verificare la posizione a riposo all’interno della Base Vaginale di una coppia di tasche rivestite di cuticola, sub-coniche e precedentemente identificate forzandone l’eversione [1], oltre alla possibilità di formulare nuove ipotesi sulla loro funzione. Infatti, l’analisi tomografica in 3D ha mostrato la presenza in queste tasche di un ingentissimo numero di nematodi. Tali organismi, potrebbero essere trasmessi alla pianta ospite durante l’ovodeposizione, suggerendo un ulteriore ruolo del punteruolo come vettore degli stessi. Queste analisi hanno inoltre fornito immagini anatomiche di notevole dettaglio, che rappresentano un ragguardevole passo in avanti rispetto all’attuale stato dell’arte (Fig. 1). Tale tecnica si è rivelata estremamente efficace per lo studio del punteruolo rosso e potrà essere impiegata in futuro per lo studio di altri insetti di interesse agrario e forestale.

Discovery of Xylella fastidiosa from olive trees with “Olive quick decline syndrome” in October 2013 on the west coast of the Salento Peninsula prompted an immediate search for insect vectors of the bacterium. The dominant xylem-ßuid feeding hemipteran collected in olive orchards during a 3-mo survey was the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphrophori- dae). Adult P. spumarius, collected in November 2013 from ground vegetation in X. fastidiosa-infected olive orchards, were 67% (40 out of 60) positive for X. fastidiosa by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Euscelis lineolatus Brulle ́ were also collected but tested negative for the pathogen. Transmission tests with P. spumarius collected from the Salento area were, therefore, conducted. After a 96-h inoculation access period with 8 to 10 insects per plant and a 30-d incubation period, PCR results showed P. spumarius transmitted X. fastidiosa to two of Þve periwinkle plants but not to the seven olive plants. Sequences of PCR products from infected periwinkle were identical with those from X. fastidiosa-infected Þeld trees. These data showed P. spumarius as a vector of X. fastidiosa strain infecting olives trees in the Salento Peninsula, Italy.

The isolation in pure culture of the Xylella fastidiosa strain associated with the quick decline syndrome of olive, recently observed in Apulia (Salento peninsula, southern Italy) was attempted from symptomatic, naturally infected olive and oleander plants, and a periwinkle seedling that had been exposed to, and was infected by Xylella-positive spittlebugs. Prior to isolation, the presence of Xylella was ascertained in all donor hosts by PCR, indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. solations from olive failed because of the heavy contamination by bacteria other than Xylella. By contrast, pure bacterial cultures were obtained from oleander and periwinkle extracts plated in periwinkle wilt gelrite (PWG) and buffered cysteine-yeast extract (BCYE) media. In both media, colonies were slow-growing, small-sized (less than 1 mm 25 days from plating), non pigmented, opalescent and exhibited the same morphology, except for the margin that was entire in BCYE and somewhat irregular in PWG. Bacterial cells were rod-shaped with rounded ends, had a thick and rippled cell wall, an average width of 0.35 μm, and a maximum length of ca. 5 μm. They gave a positive reaction in immunofluorence assays and were clearly decorated by colloidal gold in immunogold labelling tests. Sequenced PCR products amplified from periwinkle and oleander colonies shared 97-99% sequence identity with known X. fastidiosa strains from database and were 100% identical to one another and to comparable sequences obtained from infected olive trees. These sequences grouped in a distinct cluster of a branch comprising X. fastidiosa isolates belonging to the subspecies pauca.

A tentative life-table study of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) is presented in order to emphasize the control key factors in the pest biology, behaviour and ecology. Important characteristics of the relationship between R. ferrugineus and the infested plants are its short duration and the weevil association with fermentation microorganisms. These characteristics contribute to the fast host plant death. One of the serious consequences of this unbalanced coexistence is that natural enemies have neither time nor a suitable niche to control the pest. The weevil reproductive r/selection strategy is based on its high reproduction rate and accordingly, on the large scale spreading-related adult mortality. A further population control factor could be represented by cannibalism or food competition with young larvae. However, this hypothesis is difficult to demonstrate. One more important feature in R. ferrugineus success is its chemical communication model based on palm wound and tissue fermentation chemical cues. At present, the attractiveness of newly infested/damaged plants is a well-known issue in palm pest management. Further characteristics in R. ferrugineus fitness are its polyandrous mating and egg laying strategies that make the weevil a pest even at a very low population level. Planting host palm species in orchards with a density higher than the natural one made RPW shift from endemic to epidemic and therefore, become a destructive palm pest.

Ornamental plants perform different roles beyond the purely aesthetic, providing shade, privacy and making pleasant places inhabited by men. They often come from tropical and subtropical countries carrying out several insects, and among these mainly scale insects. Scale insects have small size and morphological and biological features that allow them to hide and camouflage between all parts of the plants, eluding any control. In Italy, the introduction of alien insects was studied since the end of the Second World War, when commerce and transports increased giving to insects more opportunities of diffusion. The Authors analyze this phenomenon with particular regard to scale insects on ornamentals introduced in Italy since 1945. Until now, 49 are the recorded species that have been reported with a more and more increasing rate. In the last decade the rate of introduction was almost reduplicated due to easier and faster transports, to increased efficiency of controls and to the intensi- fication of research. More than 50% of alien scale insects species are acclimated in the new areas, finding favorable conditions for their establishment in relation to the changed climatic conditions probably linked to global warming. The authors report, in addition, the alien species of scale insects recently introduced or intercepted on ornamental plants in Europe.

The RPW IPM shall be founded on the behaviour, biology and damaging attitude of the pest. Host-plant shift and pest-favourable morphological features of Phoenix canariensis Hort. Ex Chabaud (Canary Palm) cause a rapid and lethal infestation. Moreover, the pest reaches its almost coincident economic and action thresholds while the infested plant are still asymptomatic. A Preventive & Protective (2P) IPM by tree-injected trap palms, plus a two-step leaves pruning technique and tree-surgery is proposed, based on key-points found in interaction between the pest and the host plant bionomics.

An account is given on the 39 arthropod species which were found on different Ficus trees in the Maltese Islands. Seventeen species represent new records for Malta including Anothopoda fici, Asetadiptacus emiliae, Astichus bachmaieri, Ecphylus caudatus, Empoasca alsiosa, Eupristina verticillata, Ficocyba ficaria, Gynaikothrips ficorum, Josephiella microcarpae, Philotrypesis caricae, Pleistodontes sp., Rhaphitelus maculats, Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae, Scobicia chevrieri, Silba adipata, Singhiella citrifolii and Zanchius breviceps. Anothopoda fici and Zanchius breviceps, also represent new records for the entire European territory. Of the 39 arthropods, 33 feed on Ficus trees, whereas the rest are either parasitoids or predators of some of these plant feeders. The 33 species which use Ficus as their host-plant spend most of their development on and utilise the aforementioned trees as their main source of food, at least during their larval development. The 33 species were grouped as follows:Seven species were associated with wood including Scobicia chevrieri, Metholcus sylindricus, Deroplia troberti, Niphona picticornis, Hypoborus ficus, Hypocryphalus scabricollis and Hypothenemus leprieurii;Seventeen species were plant sap feeders including Zanchius breviceps, Empoasca alsiosa, Ficocyba ficaria, Homotoma ficus, Bemisia tabaci, Singhiella citrifolii, Toxoptera aurantii, Greenidea ficicola, Planococcus ficus, Pseudococcus longispinus, Ceroplastes rusci, Coccus hesperidum, Saissetia oleae, Lepidosaphes conchiformis, Anothopoda fici, Asetadiptacus emiliae and Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae;Six species induce galls either inside the florets of syconia, such as Blastophaga psenes, Odontofroggatia galili, Eupristina verticillata and Pleistodontes sp., or in the leaves, such as Josephiella microcarpae and Gynaikothrips ficorum;Two species feed on the tissue of syconia, namely Ceratitis capitata and Silba adipata;One species has larvae that specialise in eating the leaf tissue, namely Choreutis nemorana. Of these 33 arthropods, fifteen species are polyphagous. Two additional species namely Hypoborus ficus and Greenidea ficicola even though generally associated with Ficus carica or Ficus spp. respectively, have been associated with few other unrelated host-plants and as such should be considered polyphagous. Ficocyba ficaria is a dioecious species, host alternating between Ficus carica in summer and Lonicera in winter. The rest of the species are generally either associated with different Ficus (oligophagous) or with just one species (monophagous) as for most gall inhabiting species. New host-plant records include: Ficus carica for Metholcus cylindricus, Zanchius breviceps and Anothopoda fici; Ficus elastica for Toxoptera aurantii, and Ficus microcarpa for Anothopoda fici and Asetadiptacus emiliae. Additionally, the predatory bug, Montandoniola moraguesi feeding on Gynaikothrips ficorum was also found. Three parasitoids were found associated with the larvae of Hypoborus ficus. These include the ectoparasitic brachonid, Ecphylus caudatus and the chalchid parasitoids, Rhaphitelus maculatus and Astichus bachmaieri. A third species of chalchid parasitoid, Encyrtus aurantii was found associated with Coccus hesperidum and the kleptoparasite, Philotrypesis caricae was found in association with Blastophaga psenes.

Poultry Shield, a new miticide with "possible" contact depolymerizing ability on mite cuticle is tested and found effective against the red poultry mite (Dermanyssus gallinae De Gecr, 1778). The contact of chemical on the mite results into extensive cuticle damage due to "chemical action", as shown below. "Several points" are considered favourable with this commercial product. Humans have no cuticle so the Poultry Shield action is not relevant on workers during miticide distribution and soon after the "control action". Further, workers will take a great advantage working in a safe area, being no more disturbed by poultry mite. Both the chemical components and the "lifting effect on biopolymers MoA" of the miticide have no residual effect on the poultry, thus it is possible to act against the mite just before the slaughtering o during eggs pro- ductions. This miticide fit perfectly into a.i. "sequence strategy" lowering the selective pressure and the con- sequent resistance "that arises" because of conventional a.i. Advantages and usc of Poultry Shield arc discussed on the basis of direct observations on population of wild D. gallinae collected in ten industrial poultry units in Italy. The availability of such class of miticide "will help in better" poultry management "by a safer" unit cleaning and disinfesting techniques, on the basis of product features.

The coconut black weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum (Linnaeus) is an important pest of several palm species in tropical America as a vector of the red ring nematode Bursaphelenchus cocophilus (Cobb). In Panama, a management program of R. palmarum is used through the use of traps with rhynchophorol and molasses. Centrouropoda almerodai Hiramatsu and Hirschmann and Glyptholaspis sp. were found on adults captured in this traps as phoretic mite species. This is the first report of this association for the Americas.

The recent introduction of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe and its involvement in the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) in Apulia (Salento, Lecce district, South Italy) led us to investigate the biology and transmission ability of the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius, whichwas recently demonstrated to transmit X. fastidiosa to periwinkle plants. Four xylem-sap-feeding insect species were found within and bordering olive orchards across Salento during a survey carried out from October 2013 to December 2014: P. spumarius was the most abundant species on non-olive vegetation in olive orchards as well as on olive foliage and was the only species that consistently tested positive for the presence of X. fastidiosa using real-time PCR. P. spumarius, whose nymphs developwithin spittle on weeds during the spring, are likely to move from weeds beneath olive trees to olive canopy during the dry period (May to October 2014). The first X. fastidiosainfective P. spumarius were collected in May from olive canopy: all the individuals previously collected on weeds tested negative for the bacterium. Experiments demonstrated that P. spumarius transmitted X. fastidiosa from infected to uninfected olive plants. Moreover, P. spumarius acquired X. fastidiosa from several host plant species in the field, with the highest acquisition rate from olive, polygala and acacia. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed bacterial cells resembling X. fastidiosa in the foreguts of adult P. spumarius. The data presented here are essential to plan an effective IPM strategy and limit further spread of the fastidious bacterium.

The goal of this presentation is to illustrate a little-known but noteworthy case concerning the wrongful conviction of a Southern Italy father whose two missing children were found dead in enclosed environment after approximately 1.5 years since their disappearance. This presentation will impact the forensic science community by warning and improving search operation, methods of investigation, and indictment process, based on the autopsy findings and physical evidence collected on the scene and from the bodies. Two young kids, 13- and 11-years-old respectively, originally from a small town in Southern Italy, were missing on June 5, 2006 (06:30 p.m.). Soon after their disappearance, a “missing child” search began. Broadcasters promptly aired a description of the missing children pushing the entire community to assist in the search and safe recovery of the child. But every effort was in vain for more than one year. During the search, the investigators collected enough evidence against the father who was arrested 17 months after the disappearance. He was indicted for kidnapping, homicide, and concealment of the two bodies. He never confessed the crimes and he claimed to be innocent. Three months after the conviction, a fireman found the two corpses in a subterranean dry cistern next to a more than 20-meter-high well water. The bodies were well preserved, almost mummified with only few body-parts skeletonized. Based on dental records they were identified as those of the two children missing 1.5 years before. Signs of a very low insect activity were present, reasonably consistent with a rapid skin dehydration. The autopsy showed no signs of defense injuries or ligature consistent with strangulation or captivation except for fractures of the axial skeleton at a number of points consistent with a fall from a low-medium height. The body of the elder brother (CP) presented major injuries with signs of recent hemorrhages and gut content analysis consistent with the last meal which provided enough evidence to ascertain a very short survival time. The younger brother (TP) showed minor injuries, signs of old hemorrhage, gastric and intestine emptying time consistent with a longer survival time of approximately 3-4 days, spent alone in the dark and cold cistern. No evidence of body removal or corpse displacement following death was observed. A long postmortem interval (PMI) of approximately 20 months was estimated mainly from the pattern of insect succession. Based on such physical evidence, on March 4, 2008, four months after conviction and 40 days after the recovery of the two bodies, the father was released from prison and exonerated from previous indictment of homicide.

The psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiata, is a new insect pest of Ficus originating from Asia which has recently been found in Spain (Alicante) on urban Ficus microcarpa trees. This species may be of phy- tosanitary concern because of its leaf wrapping habits, wax secretion and honeydew excretion that may lead to direct and secondary twig damage. Although more studies are needed on the biology of M. gladiata, it is suspected that it might behave in the Euro-Mediterranean as an invasive alien species. The predation by Anthocoris sp. (nemoralis?) needs to be investigated in order to assess its effective- ness as a natural biological control agent. This is the first report of M. gladiata from the EPPO region.

Bamboos were introduced into Europe from China and Japan in the early 1800s and their cultivation in parks and gardens became quite popular. The first records of scale insects on ornamental bamboos in Europe date to early in the XX century (i.e. Kuwanaspis pseudoleucaspis), but the presence of some spe- cies was unknown until recently due to their concealed habit (i.e. Balanococcus kwoni Pellizzari & Dan- zig). More recently, the increasingly world-wide trade of ornamental bamboos has led to the incidental introduction and spread of bamboo scales far from their native land. Due to recent surveys carried out in parks, commercial centres and nurseries in the Western Palearctic, several scale insects linked to bamboos, not previously recorded, have been discovered, namely Pseudococcidae: Antonina pretiosa Ferris and Palmicultor lumpurensis (Takahashi) and Diaspididae: Batarasa lumampao Takagi, Odonaspis serrata Ben-Dov, Poliaspoides bambusae Ülgenturk & Pellizzari and Poliaspoides formosana (Takahashi). An overview of the presence, distribution and spread of other bamboo scale insects (i.e.Balanococcus kwoni, Chaetococcus bambusae (Maskell), Bambusaspis bambusae (Boisduval) Odonaspis greeni (Cockerell)) known from the Region is reported.

Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (orange spiny whitefly, OSW) (Hemiptera Aleyrodidae) has been spreading in Puglia Re- gion since its first report in Italy in 2008. The pest has gradually invaded the whole Lecce District thus expanding northward into Brindisi District. The pest will soon invade the citrus orchards on the Ionic Basilicata coast thus threatening the major Italian cit- rus orchards in Calabria and Sicily. The aleyrodid also threatens the national and international trade in plants and plant products because of the Quarantine status (EPPO A2) of the species. OSW is a major pest of Citrus; we also report more than thirty other host plant species belonging to twenty-two families infested by this pest; thus, cultivated and urban areas, parks and protected natural reserves are infested to varying degrees. Moreover, it disturbs natural and protected habitats, also forcing unwanted pesti- cide use in economic and recreation areas as in private gardens. Small-scale results of pesticide use are also discussed with special attention to citrus orchards. Soft soaps and wetting agents gave incomplete pest control while neonicotinoids (Imidacloprid) dis- rupt Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) parasitoids complex eliciting secondary pest resurgence. Classical Biological Control (CBC) is forbidden in Europe by the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and in Italy by transposed regulations (DPR 357/1997, DPR 120/2003). Augmentative Biological Control (ABC) chances are discussed on the basis of trials to discover candidate effective indigenous natural enemies. Finally, we consider the OSW biocontrol in non-economic area as the most promising action in order to lower the pest pressure in orchards and, thus, the rise of pesticide-tolerant or -resistant pest strain

Cryptaspidiotus barbusano (Lindinger 1908) is an endemic species of the Canary Islands, only known on Apollonias barbujana (Lauraceae), a plant growing in the “Laurisilva” or laurel forest, in several Macaronesian islands. Recently C. barbusano was collected on Heberdenia excelsa (Myrsinaceae), a new host plant and family, in the Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The recent collection of C. barbusano gives us the opportunity to redescribe its unusual adult female scale cover. The truncate cone-shaped scale cover and its peculiar reflexed exit tunnel for crawlers, with microscopic details of this rare species, are described and illustrated. The shape of the exit tunnel is discussed and the scale cover is compared with scale covers of several other diaspidid species. Finally, this study shows that C. barbusano is not a pupillarial species as formerly described.

Since the very early record of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) as palm pest, the weevil has been spreading westward to USA (California) from its tropical area of origin, roughly corresponding to the Malayan province. During its dispersion RPW shifted two times on new host plant, to be specific Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and Canary Palm (Phoenix canariensis Hort. Ex Chabaud). IPM relevant changes in bionomics of the weevil occurred accordingly to the new host plant as studies in hundreds infested palms demonstrate in Southern continental Italy Sicily, Spain, Malta, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. In these countries investigated plants mostly belong to Canary Palm while Date and Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis L.) also underwent infestation. The recent introduction of RPW in the Caribbean area poses a serious risk in the area both on economic and wild palm species. Moreover it seems possible to predict a further invasion of the weevil, soon into the Latin America Countries. Looking at RPW control experience in the Old Wold it seems reasonable that we need two different I PM approaches for economic or ornamental Palm . Key-point analysis in the weevil action are: host plant morphology and density; RPW microorganic symbiosis; mite symbionts; infestation length of time and lethality; RPW egg laying behaviour; symptoms; pest population density; economic action threshold. The study of tentative RPW life-table in palm orchards and urban area stress the need for artificial mortality factors as able to lower the pest population as dispersion-related mortality does in nature. Researches on cultivated palms carried out in the Mediterranean suggest the integration among tree injection, trap plants, host plant disruption and biocontrol by entomopathogenic fungi for the role of dispersion-related natural mortality. Our knowledge based on RPW key-point analysis and life-table study therefore suggests an IPM strategy pivoting on Protection and Prevention (2P) from RPW by chemical, biological and biotechnical means of control.