Abstract
A new non-native species of sawfly Nematus lipovskyi Smith, 1974, previously known only in the USA, has heavily infested the ornamental azalea plant, Rhododendron molle, in the Czech Republic since at least 2010. The data on this species in the USA is briefly summarized. The larva and hitherto unknown male are newly described and illustrated. The life cycle is described based on field observations and the rearing of larvae collected in Charles University Botanic Garden in Prague. The host plants are listed and include the first record of a European species of azalea (Rhododendron luteum). The current distribution of Nematus lipovskyi in the Czech Republic based on the results of a preliminary monitoring project carried out by Charles University in Prague and the State Phytosanitary Administration is presented. The pathways of its introduction and spread, potential phytosanitary measures and its effect on the environment are briefly discussed.
Highlights
The recent increase in the number of non-native species of insects being introduced into Europe and their spread, caused by worldwide human travel and trade, has resulted in serious problems throughout Europe, including the Czech Republic
Samples of both adults and larvae were collected from Charles University Botanic Garden by one of the authors (PŠ), other samples of larvae were collected at various locations throughout the Czech Republic by SPA inspectors (Kapitola & Pekárková, 2013)
Distribution records are supplemented with the respective faunistic grid number of the grid mapping system of Central Europe (Ehrendorfer & Hamann, 1965; Pruner & Míka, 1996)
Summary
The recent increase in the number of non-native species of insects being introduced into Europe and their spread, caused by worldwide human travel and trade, has resulted in serious problems throughout Europe, including the Czech Republic. The East Asian sawfly Aproceros leucopoda (Takeuchi, 1939) was introduced into Europe, which resulted in outbreaks of this species and extensive defoliation of elms in some parts of South and Central Europe (Blank et al, 2010; Zandigiacomo et al, 2011; Seljak, 2012). We report another non-native species of sawfly that has appeared in Europe, the Azalea sawfly, Nematus lipovskyi Smith, 1974, which locally has become a pest of the ornamental azalea, Rhododendron molle, planted in parks and gardens in certain locations in the Czech Republic. The mostly free-feeding larvae are usually monophagous or oligophagous on various trees, herbaceous plants and grasses
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