Abstract
Simple SummaryThe distribution of the lacebug Corythauma ayyari, a pest species associated to jasmine plants, has been updated using collections and citizen-science data. The path of introduction of this species in Italy has been inferred with molecular analysis. The results revealed an extent of occurrence in Italy wider than was previously known and the evidence of multiple introduction events. The work shows that citizen science can represent a further tool within the early warning information system for alien species introduction.The jasmine lacebug Corythauma ayyari is a pest of cultivated and ornamental plants mainly associated to Jasminum spp. This invasive insect is native to Asia, and it has been recently introduced in several countries, mainly within the Mediterranean basin. Here, we updated the known distribution of this species, including five new Italian regions (Liguria, Tuscany, Latium, Apulia, and Calabria); Salamis Island in Greece, and the Occitanie region in France. Citizen-science data have significantly contributed to the knowledge on species distribution, and the online platform for sharing biodiversity information can represent an effective tool for the early detection. Molecular analyses revealed that the specimens collected in Peninsular Italy and Sicily belong to a unique clade, suggesting the possibility of a single introduction, whereas those from Menton (France) and Calabria (Southern Italy) are separated from the others and probably originate from separated introductions.
Highlights
In the last three decades, the number of animal-watchers reporting photos and observations of animal species on websites, citizen-science platforms, forums, and social networks has exponentially increased [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
As in Italy, the jasmine lacebug was detected for the first time in 2012 in Campania (Southern Italy) on common jasmine Jasminum officinale L. [16] and in 2014, on Spanish jasmine J. grandiflorum L
The jasmine lacebug Corythauma ayyari currently occurs in seven Italian regions, including five new ones for which no records were known yet (Figure 1 and Table S2)
Summary
In the last three decades, the number of animal-watchers reporting photos and observations of animal species on websites, citizen-science platforms, forums, and social networks has exponentially increased [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Corythauma ayyari is a quite peculiar species showing an elongate-oval body about 2.5–3.0 mm long, characterized by the presence of a subspherical pronotal hood strongly elevated above medial carina. These morphological characters allow us to distinguish the species from other tingids occurring in Mediterranean countries [14] and are, identifiable by non-experts, which makes the species a good candidate for a citizen-science campaign
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