The occult spread of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål,1855) (Hemiptera Pentatomidae), in Sardinia (Italy)

Abstract

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera Pentatomidae), was recorded in autumn 2018 in Sassari (northern Sardinia, Italy), after a previous finding in Cagliari (over 200 km away in southern Sardinia) in autumn 2016. It is not clear whether the species has already spread throughout the Sardinia or whether the sighting in the North of Sardinia is due to a second introduction. However, it is usual for this species to have a long period with low population level after its first introduction into a new area. The presence of this very polyphagous alien species is a serious hazard for Sardinian agriculture.