First report from Sicily (Italy) of the orange spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and its potential risk for the Italian citrus industry

Abstract

The orange spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus spiniferus, is reported for the first time in the district of Catania, Sicily (IT). The pest was observed on ornamental sour orange trees cultivated along roads in the town of Catania as well as in commercial citrus orchards of the Plain of Catania. Italy is the second European citrusproducing country, after Spain, and more than 50% of Italian citrus are produced in Sicily, so the spread in this island of this new pest urgently requires adequate monitoring and control measures to protect this important crop.

An Eretmocerus Species, Parasitoid of Aleurocanthus spiniferus, Was Found in Europe: The Secret Savior of Threatened Plants

“…It entered Europe in 2008, when it was first recorded in Italy, in the Province of Lecce (Apulia), on Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck [8,9]. Since then, it has been found in several other Italian areas [3,[10][11][12][13] and has spread to other Mediterranean countries [11,[14][15][16], being presently listed as a quarantine pest for the European and Mediterranean area [3,17]. The most recent Sustainability 2024, 16, 2970 2 of 11 findings and interceptions also report its presence in mainland Europe (Belgium, the Czech Republic, and France) [3].…”

Discovery of Serangium montazerii Fürsch (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) as a predator of Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) in Italy

“…In some citrus‐growing areas of Asia and Oceania, A. spiniferus is considered a major threat for citrus production (Jeffers, 2018). A. spiniferus was reported in Sicily in 2021 on sour orange plants ( Citrus × aurantium ) in the urban area of Catania (Rapisarda & Longo, 2021). Later, the whitefly was detected in a few commercial citrus groves in an area which includes over 50% of Italian production (Rapisarda & Longo, 2021).…”

“…A. spiniferus was reported in Sicily in 2021 on sour orange plants ( Citrus × aurantium ) in the urban area of Catania (Rapisarda & Longo, 2021). Later, the whitefly was detected in a few commercial citrus groves in an area which includes over 50% of Italian production (Rapisarda & Longo, 2021). In infested plants, vegetation and fruits are heavily covered by honeydew, which is produced by the nymphs, and on which sooty mould develops.…”

First record of Aleurocanthuscamelliae Kanmiya & Kasai, 2011 (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) from Italy, on ornamental Camellia spp. plants

“…Concerning movement in trade, whiteflies are among the insect groups with the highest number of species accidentally introduced into Italy during the last decades (Rapisarda et al, 2017). Among these recent invasions, the record of Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) on citrus in southern Italian areas (Porcelli, 2008) is noteworthy due to potential risk of spread of this species in citrus crops in the country (Rapisarda & Longo, 2021). The genus Aleurocanthus (Quanitance & Baker) presently includes around 80 species worldwide (Kanmiya et al, 2011; Dubey & Ko, 2012; Gillespie, 2012; Jansen & Porcelli, 2018), but A .…”