A New Problem for Western Romania: Metcalfa pruinosa emiptera:Flatidae 1*) 1) 1) 1) 1) 1) Ioana GROZEA , Alina1) GOGAN , Mihai VLAD2) , Ana Maria VIRTEIU , Ramona STEF , Alin CARABET , Snejana DAMIANOV , Teodora FLORIAN 1) Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Entomology Discipline, Department of Biology and Plant Protection, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “Regele Mihai I al României”2) from Timisoara, Calea Aradului, 119, Timisoara. Department of Environment and [email protected] Plant Protection, University of Agricultural Science and Medicine Veterinary,*) Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Corresponding author, e-mail: BulletinUASVM Horticulture 72(1) / 2015 Print ISSN 1843-5254, Electronic ISSN 1843-5394 Doi:10.15835/buasvmcn-hort:10337 ABSTRACT Metcalfa pruinosa The cicada considered for this study is (Say), called flatid plant hopper, a species that has recently caught the attention of experts in Romania. In year 2010, it was seen for the first time in the western part of country and it was identified by some routine observations. Is considered a non-native species knowing that originated in America. Objectives focused primarily exploration the territory in the western part, in order to report the first larval colonies and secondly identification of host plants. Observations were made during three years, 2011 to 2013 and included several points located near the western border. For monitoring of the immature stages (larvae, nymphs) direct observations were made in green spaces, parks, vineyards and orchards. Having in mind that larva is the most important stage, if we refer to damage Acerplants, negundo, all our Acerattention pseudoplatanus, was directed Acer to campestre,this. Somewhat, Acer platanoides,the results certify Tilia cordata, the polyphagism Catalpa bignonioides, of this species, Juglans indicating regia, numerousLigustrum speciesvulgare, of Hibiscus infested syriacus, plants. Among, frequently infested with larval colonies, in green spaces, were Malus domestica, Persica vulgaris, Prunus persica, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus domestica and Vitis vinifera etc. On the other hand, in the vineyards and orchards, plants affected were . Currently, in the western part of Romania, over 50 host plants were identified, tree species (shrubs, trees, fruit -trees), culture plants (sunflower, soybean) and a lot of herbaceousKeywords species.: colonies, invasive, Metcalfa pruinosa, polyphagous. INTRODUCTION Metcalfa et al pruinosa Donadini, 1980). In 2 years ago was raised in Asia, The citrus flatid planthopper ( too (Kim ., 2011). ) is native to the Nearctic region, more The cicada is a species with a polifagism specifically in Eastern North America, from Ontorio emphasized; in places of origin has a great range to Florida, Mexico and Cuba (Metcalf and Bruner, of host plants (over 100 plant species) and in 1948). It is a common species on the american Europe is recorded over 300 plant species (Alma continent (Chittendenet al , 1900; Van Duzee, 1923;et al et al.,MATERIALS 2005; Wilson AND and Lucchi,METHODS 2000). Weese, 1924; Willson and McPherson, 1981) and Europe (Grozea ., et2011; al Drosopoulos ., 2004; Lauterer, 2002; Preda and Skolka; 2011; The research has been carried out in a large Sivic, 1991; Trenchev ., 2006; Zangheri and territory of west part of Romania. Observations were made during three years, 2011 to 2013 and etcalfa pruinosa 75 A New Problem for Western Romania: M emiptera:Flatidae border. included several points located near the western 1 reading in September), usually in the middle These points have been covered in 3 of every month. Marking points of study was counties (Timis, Caras Severin and Mehedinti) on achievedRegarding with the the help establish of GPS. of host plants the southern direction, starting from the reference County,In Timisterm (where of monitoring was the first outbreak)activity. In this regard have been completed more stages: For direct observations in order to establish a first set Timis County; were established follow point of host plants/PO; regular observations to identify of observation (OP): Timișoara1 (green space new host plants; collection of samples (portions + park) Timișoara2 -Didactic Experimental of sprouts, whole leaves, grapes) and finally Resort-BUAVMT (vineyard+orchard); In Caras transport and analyze in detail. Severin County have been monitored less points, directFor on both, plants monitoring in the area andand theirthe range development of host such as: Reșița (green space + park), Tirol plants, there have been two types of observations, (vineyard) and Caransebeș (green space+park). For Mehedinti County, the locality under and indirect, through detailed studies from the observation was Drobeta-Turnu Severin (green laboratoryRESULTS to the AND magnifying DISCUSSION glass vision. space +park) (Fig. 1). Metcalfa pruinosa First report of the invasive cicada, called , in western Romania was recognized in year of 2010 (the place named Young TM Naturalists Resort Park of Timisoara (pointed with red color in the map) (Fig. 2). This is in fact highly level over 20 colonies CS moderate level 10-20 colonies MH low level 2010 2-5 colonies 2011 OP TM1 OP RS Fig. 1 2012 OP DrTS Map of the points of observation in western counties (TM-Timis county, CS-Caras Severin county, MH-Mehedinti county); green points color represents green spaces and parks, yellow points represents vineyards and blue points show the orchards. Fig. 2 Map of the first larval colonies, in western Each point was observation through the prism counties subject to the observations ((TM-Timis county, CS-Caras Severin county, MH-Mehedinti of larval colonies present on the leaves or young county);); red point is the first place where the insect shoots of host plants (mentioned in specialty was observed for the first time in west part of country. literature or from the native range of the green spaces, orchards or vineyards under studies). the reference point of our studies. For monitoring of the immature stages The subsequently researches, carried out in (larvae, nymphs) direct observations were made the years 2011, 2012 nd 2013 revealed also the in green spaces, parks, vineyards and orchards. So, presence in other localities/points of observation. 3 readings were performed per year; a monthly Next we make a short presentation of status in reading (1 reading in July, 1 reading in August and all points under observation.Bulletin UASVM It Horticultureis necessary 72(1) / 2015 to 76 et al GROZEA Tilia cordata, Ligustrum vulgare, Catalpa bignonioides; Fraxinus excelsior, Ficus carica, mention that in this paper data are presented only Hibiscusfolows: syriacus, Juglans nigra, Acer platanoides, in Southern direction, from Timisoara (first point Acer campestre, Acer negundo, Rosa sp. of occurence)Range of hostto Danube. plants. In OP/Timisoara1, plant In the three years of observations, in mixed species infested with larval colonies of Metcalfa plantation (vineyard and orchard) from OP/ were numerous, over 35 with high frequency Timisoara2 (DER-BUAVMT they highlighted the Tab. 1 Metcalfa pruinosa List of host plants for larvae of in OP/Timisoara1- green space + park, in 2011- 2013 period Leaves Shoots Colonies of larvae present on N Family PlantTilia cordata species x Acer negundo x x 1 Tiliaceae Acer pseudoplatanus x 2 Acer campestre x 3 Acer platanoides x 4 Aceraceae Cotinus coggygria x 5 Rhus typhina x 7 Anacardiaceae Rosa sp x x 8 Hedera helix x x 9 Rosaceae Sambucus nigra x 10 Araliaceae Viburnum lantana x x 11 BerberidaceaeAdoxaceae Berberis thunbergii x x 12 Buxus microphylla, x x 13 Buxaceae Buxus sempervirens x x 14 Carpinus betulus x 15 Betulaceae Corylus avellana x 16 x 17 Cornus sp. x 18 Bignoniaceae Catalpa bignonioides Heptacodium miconioides x 19 Cornaceae Humulus lupulus x 22 Caprifoliaceae Robinia pseudoacacia x 23 Cannabaceae Philadelphus sp., x 24 Fabaceae Juglans regia x 25 Hydrangeaceae Juglans nigra x 26 Juglandaceae Hibiscus syriacus x 27 Ficus carica x x 28 Malvaceae Fraxinus excelsior x 29 Moraceae Ligustrum vulgare x x 30 Oleaceae Plantago major x x 31 Pyrus communis x x 32 Plantaginaceae Spiraea x vanhouttei x 33 Rosaceae x 34 Ulmus minor x x 35 Sapindaceae Aesculus hippocastanum Parthenocissus quinquefolia x x 36 Ulmaceae Magnolia kobus x x 37 Vitaceae Bulletin38 UASVM HorticultureMagnoliaceae 72(1) / 2015 etcalfa pruinosa 77 A New Problem for Western Romania: M emiptera:Flatidae Vitis vinifera, Persica vulgaris, Malus domestica, Prunus persica, Prunus armeniaca, Tiliaceae, Prunusfollowing domestica plants: Rosaceae,larval colonies Aceraceae, were fixed Betulaceae on plants and which Oleaceae belong to the following botanical families: (Tab. Prunus 2). domestica Acer negundo, Acer platanoides and Insects was observed on all fruit trees in all Acer(Tab. campestre. 4). So that, may be considered host plants, the study, less than which has species like not been observed in 2011. In point of observation OP/Resita the cicada It is important to note that at this point, the had a smallerAcer platanoides range plants and of Acer infested negundo plants only first report of the invasive insect was achieved only on the leaves and young shoots, belonging to two in theIn yearpoint 2012. of observation In the first OP/ yearTirol of (vineyard)observations, and species, (Tab.3). OP/Caransebes2011, the cicada (green was not space+park) present. the cicada has Data obtained as a result of observations made been found in no place researched and no plants. in observation point from Drobeta Turnu Severin showed a large variety of infested plants. The Tab. 2 Metcalfa pruinosa List of host plants for larvae of in OP/Timisoara2- vineyard + orchard, in 2011-2013 period Leaves Shoots/fruit stem Colonies of larvae present on N Family PersicaPlant species vulgaris x x Prunus armeniaca x 1 Prunus persica x 2 Prunus domestica x x 3 Rosaceae Malus domestica x x 4 Vitis vinifera x x 5 6 Vitaceae Tab. 3 Metcalfa pruinosa List of host plants for larvae of in OP/Resita- green space + park, in 2011- 2013 period Leaves Shoots Colonies of larvae present on N Family AcerPlant negundo species x x Acer platanoides x x 1 Aceraceae 2 Tab.