Citrus flatid planthopper, a native insect to North America, have had for a long time a scarce economic importance there. However, being polyphagous made small damage on citrus trees and some ornamentals. In 1979 it was introduced to Italy where it established and spread quickly. It is now an invasive alien species (IAS) continually spreading in South and Central Europe causing considerable damage in grapevine, fruit trees and various ornamentals.
In Hungary M. pruinosa causes damage - as in other European countries - in grapevine, fruit and other ornamental trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, it spreads in semi-natural and natural areas like hedges. I have observed nymphs, adults and vaxy filaments of M. pruinosa on the majority (70%) of the trees and shrubs in a hedge.
Infested plants – among them some with American origin – were: Acer negundo, Celtis occidentalis, Clematis vitalba, Crataegus monogyna, Hedera helix, Juglans regia, Lycium barbarus, Malus domestica, Morus alba, Prunus domestica, Prunus padus, Prunus serotina, Prunus spinosa, Robinia pseudo-acacia, Rosa canina, Ulmus campestris but also Euphorbia cyparissias.
The length of similar hedges can be several hundred km long, which means M. pruinosa has plenty of opportunity for spreading along the railway and infesting agricultural and ornamental cultures.
Where and on which vegetation have you observed this IAS? How much important damage have you detected?
I found Metcalfa pruinosa on Pyrus communis in an orchard from Bucharest (Romania) in 2012 and 2013.
Dear Mircela,
Thanks for your help. I have found M. pruinosa on pear trees too. It is very poliphagous.
Dear András Bozsik,
I'll pass your question to a colleague who works directly with the topic. Unfortunately I'm working more directly with the development of equipment for spraying.
Dear András Bozsik,
This pest is not present in Brazil. She is listed in the Department of Agriculture of Brazil as a quarantine pest absent (A1).
Dear Dr. Bozsik:
I just posted my paper on Metcalfa in South Korea. The literature cited section includes numerous references on Metcalfa. Please let me know if you have any questions; my email is [email protected].
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