Corythucha ciliata (Say, 1832) – Pest of Plane Trees (Platanus spp.)

Abstract


 The research aimed the study of an invasive species that has recently appeared in our country, Corythucha ciliata Say (plane tiger or lacy plane bedbug) (Hemiptera, Tingidae). Knowing this pest is very important in order to control it, in order to keep the appearance of the parks pleasant and clean. The insect is an aggressive pest of plane trees (Platanus spp.), which harms their leaves, leading to premature defoliation. The aims of this research were: identifying and monitoring of Corythucha ciliata Say populations; observations on the host plants in the analyzed space; tracking the biological cycle of the species Corythucha ciliata Say and the extent of pest. Following research conducted in 2020-2021, the invasive species Corythucha ciliata Say, was identified in 4 locations in Transylvania, on two species of plane trees, Platanus occidentalis Linné and Platanus x acerifolia Willdenow. In the ecological conditions of Cluj-Napoca (Cluj County), the numerical density of the pest on the plane leaves was of maximum 30 adults/leaf and 63 larvae/leaf. Concerning the biological cycle, it was found that, in the temperate-continental climate of Cluj-Napoca, the species has 2 generations per year.