New records of plant pests and weeds in Greece, 1990-2007.

Abstract

More than 70 new insect records have been reported from Greece during the period 1990-2007. The woolly whitefly Aleurothrixus floccosus Maskell and the citrus leaf-miner Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, which are among the most important new records, have already spread throughout the country but severe damage has been avoided with the introduction of effective exotic parasitoids. Other species of the newly reported pests that are considered important are: the thrips Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), the gall inducing wasps Ophelimus maskeli (Ashmead) and Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle and the asparagus pests Parahypopta caestrum (Hubner) and Hexomyza simplex (Loew). Nine new records of phytophagous mites have been reported from Greece during the period 1990-2007. Of these species, Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein) and Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritch-ard are quarantine mites. Especially T. evansi although not yet widespread in the country may have a serious economic impact since it can cause damage by reducing market value of the affected crops. A total of 30 plant parasitic nematode species have been reported from Greece, during the period 1990-2007, most of which are known to be important pests worldwide. From these, only one species, Globodera pallida Stone on potato, appears to be of special interest. Three weed species known to be very troublesome and widespread in the United States have recently appeared in Greece and are causing serious problems in irrigated summer crops, particularly in maize. They include Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacquin (Convolvulaceae) which has already spread in the western part of the country, Sicyos angulatus L. (Cucurbitaceae) which is spreading in the northern part and Panicum dichotomiflorum Michaux (Gramineae) which is currently restricted in a small area in the central part of the country. The appearance of these weeds in Greece demonstrates the need for measures to prevent invasion and spread of aggressive alien species.