Latvijas Entomologs 2016, 53: 127-128. 127

Short Note

First record of fennahi Young, 1977 (: Cicadellidae) in Latvia

Uģis Piterāns

Museum of Zoology, University of Latvia, Kronvalda bulvāris 4, LV-1586, Rīga, Latvia; e-mail: [email protected]

Rhododendron November. Eggs are laid in flower bud and (, Young, 1977) is a they overwinter. Both nymphs and adults native Nearctic species (Wilson et al. 2009). feed on sap from underside of the leaves, During the first part of 20th century it was but no apparent damage to the leaves can accidently introduced in Europe where it was be seen even when species is present in first found in England in year 1935 (China large numbers (Sergel 1987). G. fennahi 1935). Since then it has been also reported sometimes is referred as a pest species due from other countries in western and central to its connection with phytopathogenic Europe - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Seifertia azaleae (Peck) Partr. & Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Morgan-Jones, 2002 (Šprynar 2005). Recent and Switzerland (Vidano et. al. 1985; Sergel studies have shown that fungal infestation 1987). More recently it has been found also of S. azaleae depends on many other factors in Czech Republic (Šprynar 2005), Sweden and role of G. fennahi might be overstated (Söderman et al. 2009), and Poland (Musik (Hommes et al. 2003). 2011). It was not known to occur in Baltic It is possible that this species is also countries (Söderman et al. 2009). present in other gardens and parks in Rīga and Numerous adults of Graphocephala other sites where spp. bushes fennahi (Fig. 1) were found in Botanical have been planted, but further research is garden of Latvian University in Rīga required to find extent of its distribution. on 17.09.2015. Locality coordinates: 56°56’56”N, 24°03’21”E. Adults were References found on Rhododendron sp. leaves. Judging from large number of adult specimens (>100 China W.E. 1935. A North American individuals) this population most probably Jassid (Homoptera) in Surrey. – The has been established here already for several Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 71: seasons. 277-279. G. fennahi host plants in species Hommes M., Diederich F., Werres S. 2003. native range predominantly include Investigations on interactions between Rhododendron sp. In Europe nymphs have the Rhododendron leafhopper been recorded also from other plants. It is (Graphocephala fennahi Young) and univoltine in Europe and nymphs occur the rhododendron bud blast disease from May to July and adults from July to (Pycnostysanus azalea (Peck) E. 128 First record of Graphocephala fennahi Young, 1977 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Latvia

Mason). – Mitteilungen aus der (Graphocephala fennahi) (Hemiptera: Biologischen Bundesanstalt für Land- Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) from und Forstwirtschaft, Berlin Dahlem the Czech Republic. – Plant Protection 394: 48-49. Science 41: 38-41. Musik K. 2011, New record of an alien species Vidano C., Arzone A., Meotto F. 1987. Dati Graphocephala fennahi Young, morfologici, biologici e fitopatologici 1977 (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha) in su Graphocephala fennahi Poland. – Acta entomologica silensia (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha) 19: 41-44. nuovo fitomizo di Rhododendron spp. Sergel R. 1987. On the occurrence and ecology in Italia. – La Difesa delle Piante 10: of the Rhododendron-leafhopper, 101-112 Graphocephala fennahi, Young 1977, Wilson M.R., Turner J.A., McKamey S.H. in the Western Palaearctic region 2009. Sharpshooter of (Homoptera, Cicadellidae). – Anzeiger the World (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae für Schädlingskunde, Pflanzenschutz, subfamily ). Amgueddfa Umweltschutz 60: 134-136. Cymru - National Museum Wales. Söderman G., Gillerfors G., Endrestøl A. On-line version: http://naturalhistory. 2009. An annotated catalogue of the museumwales.ac.uk/Sharpshooters Auchenorrhyncha of Northern Europe. [last accessed: 14 January, 2016]. – Cicadina 10: 33-69 Špryňar P. 2005. First records of the Received: 30.12.2015. Rhododendron leafhopper

Figure 1. Observed individual of Graphocephala fennahi Young, 1977. Specimen from Rīga, Central Latvia (photo: U.Piterāns).