Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé. [Distribution map

The present study investigated the environmental variables that define a suitable climate for the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé, using presence‐only data, with the aim of identifying areas that have a suitable climate (and thus high probability) for future colonization and generating a spatially explicit predictive map of environmental suitability. An occurrence database (293 records) was compiled mainly from the literature. The environmental data were obtained from the WorldClim 1.3 dataset, and the models were performed using maxent , version 3.3.3k. Model performance was evaluated through cross‐validation. We used the null models approach to test our models. For model calibration, two datasets were defined (a non conservative dataset and a conservative one) by comparing the bioclimatic variables between native and introduced range using boxplots. According to both models, the range for T . peregrinus will continue to expand. In S outh A merica and A frica, the distribution of the bronze bug may expand mainly to the north‐east and central areas. Special attention should be given to the regions of southern U.S.A. , C entral A merica, and southern C hina and nearby countries, where conditions are highly suitable but the bronze bug has not yet been recorded and could only arrive by human means. Because E ucalyptus species, many of which are highly susceptible to infestation by the bronze bug, are increasingly being planted around the world, and because the bronze bug has spread so rapidly over the past 8 years, the bronze bug may be expected to appear in many areas where it has not yet been recorded.

Phenology and distribution of Italian populations of Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae). Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapè (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) was detected for the first time in Italy in September 2011, on several Eucalyptus species and hybrids. This pest, native of Australia, was the first species of the family Thaumastocoridae found in Europe. In this paper we report data on its current distribution in Italy, where the species is present in Lazio, Campania and Tuscany. Phenological studies allowed to detect the presence of eggs, preimaginal stages and peaks of the flight of the adults. No diapausing stage were detected.

Oviposition‐site selection may be greatly affected by competitive plant‐mediated interactions between phytophagous insects but these interactions have been poorly investigated on trees. Here, we evaluated the potential interaction between two invasive pests of Eucalyptus trees, the red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombeiMoore (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha: Aphalaridae), and the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinusCarpintero et Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae). We assessed the effect of the co‐occurrence of G. brimblecombei on the selection of feeding and oviposition sites by T. peregrinus females using dual‐choice bioassays. We compared developmental time and survival of the first instar of nymphs reared on healthy Eucalyptus tereticornisSmith (Myrtaceae) leaves and on leaves infested with the lerp psyllid, either with or without lerps (i.e., white conical sweet‐tasting structures, secreted during the nymphal stage). Bronze bug females prefer to oviposit on lerp‐carrying leaves but we found no difference in feeding preference when compared to healthy leaves. Infestation with the lerp psyllid hampered nymphal performance in terms of developmental time and survival, although the presence of lerps reverted the effect in survival and shortened the duration of the initial instar. These results display an interaction between these two insect species that affects both the oviposition preference of T. peregrinus females and the nymphal performance. Although there seems to be a discrepancy between mother preference and offspring performance, feeding on the lerps may prove beneficial to the offspring under long‐term conditions and multiple infestation by other pests and diseases.

Optimal foraging and optimal oviposition are two major forces leading to plant selection by insect females, but the contribution of these forces to the host‐selection process has been little studied for sucking herbivores. We studied feeding and oviposition behavior of a global pest, the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), using dual‐choice bioassays to evaluate the preference of females between host species, developmental leaf stage, or prior plant exposure to conspecifics. We assessed the link between these preferences and the performance of the offspring, by comparing survival and developmental time of nymphs reared on the various treatments. Finally, we compared the composition of the leaf wax of healthy and damaged leaves, and tested the effects of leaf wax on female preference behavior. Using healthy adult leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. (Myrtaceae) as a reference, we found that females prefer to feed on Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and E. tereticornis adult leaves that had been previously damaged by female conspecifics, whereas they reject juvenile leaves of E. tereticornis as food. Females also prefer to oviposit on leaves previously damaged by conspecifics but they rejected E. grandis as oviposition substrate. Nymphal performance varied among leaf treatments, suggesting a correlation with oviposition preference (but not feeding preference). Epicuticular wax extracts from damaged leaves contained higher concentrations of long‐chain, saturated linear alkanes, aldehydes, and alcohols than extracts from undamaged leaves. However, a choice assay failed to demonstrate an oviposition preference based on leaf surface wax chemistry. We discuss these findings in the context of the preference‐performance relationship.

Mature and immature individuals of a small sap sucking insect were collected from Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees located in a coastal area of Syria (Latakia) in October 2022. These specimens were found during regular monitoring of the newly introduced Eucalyptus redgum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei. Collected specimens were identified as Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé 2006. This is the first record of this species, as well as the family Thaumastocoridae, from Syria.

The introduction of alien species can carry negative consequences to the areas in which they appear. Early detection of introduced species is key if management practices are to be effectively implemented. Here, based on specimens from collections and citizen science observations, we document the recent introduction of two alien Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) species in Colombia: Brachyplatys subaenus (Westwood, 1837) (Plataspidae) and Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé, 2006 (Thaumastocoridae). Brachyplatys subaenus was found in two localities (Bolívar and Valle del Cauca), whereas T. peregrinus was found in a single locality (Bogotá) so far. Future research activities should establish the geographic range of these species, as well as document their host plant associations, in Colombia.

The bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellape, 2006 (Hemiptera: Thau mastocoridae), is a threat to commercial plan tations of Eucalyptus (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Kenya, South Africa, Uruguay and Zimbabwe (Carpintero & Dellape 2006; Martinez & Bianchi 2010; Nadel et al. 2010; Noack et al. 2011). Thaumastocoris peregrinus is a typically gregarious sucking insect with nymphs and adults of different generations overlapping throughout the year (Noack & Rose 2007; Wilcken et al. 2010). Adults are about 3 mm long, with a flattened light brown body (Noack et al. 2011). Females lay about 60 black eggs usually in clusters on leaves, branches and at the base of host plant trunks (Jacobs & Neser 2005; Noack & Rose 2007). The high reproductive capacity of T. peregrinus facilitates rapid colonization and infestation. The pest initially causes silvering of the leaves, which subsequently shift to brown and red coloration, and this makes the trees look bronzed (Jacobs & Neser 2005). These canopy coloration changes al low identification of the presence of T. peregrinus before leaf drop and plant death occurs. The mechanism that induces plant death is not known, but the symptoms of feeding by nymphs and adults of T. peregrinus on eucalyptus leaves are similar to those of Cardiaspina psyllids (He miptera: Psyllidae) (Woodburn & Lewis 1973; Crawford & Wilkens 1996). The psyllids insert their stylets through the apertures of stomata to reach food supply causing cell degeneration of the mesophyll tissue that resembles the process of leaf senescence (Crawford & Wilkens 1996). The use of the systemic insecticide imidaclo prid injected into the trunk has been shown effec tive to control T. peregrinus in field tests (Noack et al. 2009), but chemical control in forest planta tions is questionable due to potentially adverse environmental impacts and high costs (Zanuncio et al. 1994). Thus, biological control, such as the introduction or enhancement of populations of predators, parasitoids and pathogens, is impor tant (Silva 2000). Pest control with natural en emies is growing in popularity; and heteropteran predators are important agents of biological con trol in integrated pest management programs (Molina-Rugama et al. 1997; Lemos et al. 2003). Here, we report the occurrence of the preda tory stinkbug, Supputius cincticeps Stal, 1860 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), nymphs feeding on T. peregrinus nymphs and adults in Lages, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Nymphs and eggs of S. cincticeps, and nymphs and adults of T. peregri nus were found on Eucalyptus viminalis Labill (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) trees at the Centro de Ciencias Agroveterinârias of the Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (CAV-UDESC) (Fig. 1) in the urban perimeter of Lages, Santa Cata rina State, Brazil (27°47'S, 50°18'W) in January and February 2011. There were high densities of eggs, nymphs and adults of T. peregrinus on the eucalypts. The infested trees exhibited silver colored leaves (Fig. 1), but defoliation was not high. Damage by Gonipterus scutellatus Gyllen hal, 1833 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) weevils to E. viminalis leaves was also observed (Fig. 2), in dicating the coexistence of the bronze bug with other eucalyptus pests, causing multifaceted and potentially more severe damage. Adults of T. peregrinus were collected, stored in 70% alcohol and observed under stereomicro

The bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), is an exotic emerging pest in Eucalyptus commercial forests in South America, Africa, and southern Europe. Information on the chemical communication system and reproductive ecology of this insect is scant, and it may be relevant for designing management strategies for eucalypt plantations. Males emit large amounts of 3-methyl-2-butenyl butyrate, which attracts conspecific adult males but not females. To learn more about the biological function of this putative male-produced pheromone, we quantified this compound in volatile emissions collected from males, females, and couples, in three 4-h collecting periods during the morning, afternoon, and night of a single 24-h cycle. Our results showed that virgin males emit 3-methyl-2-butenyl butyrate in a diel time pattern, with an almost sevenfold difference between the afternoon emission peak compared to morning or night hours. In addition, we show that in the presence of females, males emit the compound in the same amounts throughout the photocycle. While a definite function cannot yet be attributed to the emission of 3-methyl-2-butenyl butyrate by T. peregrinus males, our findings point to an intraspecific function, possibly one related to male-male competition.

The bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellape (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), is an exotic emerging pest in Eucalyptus commercial forests in South America, Africa and southern Europe. Information on the chemical communication system and reproductive ecology of this insect is scant, and it may be relevant for designing management strategies for eucalypt plantations. Adults and nymphs usually aggregate in the field, possibly by means of chemical signals. Males emit large amounts of 3-methyl-2-butenyl butyrate, which attracts conspecific adult males but not females. The ecological role of this putative male aggregation pheromone remains unknown. Here, we report olfactometer bioassays showing that late-instar male nymphs are also attracted to synthetic 3-methyl-2-butenyl butyrate and to adult male volatile extracts, which contain this compound as the major component. As previously shown for adult females, nymphs that moulted into females were not attracted to either volatile stimulus. The intra-gender attraction of nymphs and adults may be related to the exploitation of food resources, or as a reproductive strategy for newly emerged males. Further studies on the reproductive behaviour and mating system of T. peregrinus will contribute to understanding the ecological significance of male-male, adult-nymph attraction, as well as the practical applications that may result from these findings.

Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) is a small sap-sucking insect that feeds on Eucalyptus L'Hér. leaves. Although it is native to Australia, it currently has a global distribution and it is considered as one of the big five pests of eucalypts around the world. We described the development of T. peregrinus population on four Eucalyptus species under the environmental conditions in Argentina. We also analyzed the use of yellow sticky traps as a monitoring method for this pest. The four Eucalyptus species were suitable for T. peregrinus. A cyclic pattern was observed in the development of the bronze bug population with an annual seasonal peak followed by a decrease in the abundance, reaching a minimum value during the unfavorable seasons. During the fall and winter seasons, epizootic events were registered in all the Eucalyptus species, caused by an entomopathogenic fungus. None of the meteorological variables had a clear influence neither on the bronze bug population nor with the occurrence of fungal infection. We found a significant relationship between the number of nymphs and adults of T. peregrinus in branches and the number of individuals caught in traps, suggesting that traps give actual information about the bronze bug abundance in the tree canopy.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:02:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0\n Previous issue date: 2016-03-01

The bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé, 2006 (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) originally restricted to Australia, is an important emerging pest of Eucalyptus plantations in the Southern Hemisphere. It feeds on mature leaves, causing the loss of photosynthetic surface area and defoliation and, according to some studies, even tree death. In this work, feeding activities of T. peregrinus on Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn leaves and its primary food resources were identified. In cross sections of leaves, solid salivary deposits on epidermal cells and in the vicinity of stomata cells were detected. In subepidermal cells of the palisade parenchyma near the stylet penetration point, disorganization and removal of chloroplasts were also observed. The presence of chlorophyll in guts of adults and nymphs was analyzed using spectrophotometry and confocal laser scanning to obtain in situ fluorescent spectra. Both spectra showed chlorophyll absorbance peaks. In addition, the presence of chlorophyll in guts of T. peregrinus using fluorescence microscopy was identified. These results provide the first evidence that T. peregrinus feeds from the palisade parenchyma (chlorenchyma) of Eucalyptus leaves.

Temperature affects the development, population dynamics, reproduction and population size of insects. Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero et Dellape (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) is a eucalyptus pest. The objective of this study was to determine biological and life table parameters of T. peregrinus on Eucalyptus benthamii at five temperatures (18 °C; 22 °C; 25 °C; 27 °C and 30 °C) with a relative humidity (RH) of 70 ± 10% and photoperiod of 12 hours. The duration of each instar and the longevity of this insect were inversely proportional to the temperature, regardless of sex. The nymph stage of T. peregrinus was 36.4 days at 18 °C and 16.1 days at 30 °C. The pre-oviposition period was 5.1 days at 30 °C and 13.1 days at 18 °C and that of oviposition was 7.6 days at 30 °C and 51.2 days at 22 °C. The generation time (T) of T. peregrinus was 27.11 days at 22 °C and 8.22 days at 30 °C. Lower temperatures reduced the development and increased the life stage duration of T. peregrinus. Optimum temperatures for T. peregrinus development and reproduction were 18 and 25 °C, respectively.

Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellapé, 2006, originally from Australia, has become a cosmopolitan alien species associated with Eucalyptus spp. (Myrtaceae). In this study, the species is recorded for the first time in Cyprus from the Limassol district and the Akrotiri UK Sovereign Base Area. The adverse socioeconomic impacts of the species on the island are briefly discussed.

Toxicity of essential oil of Eugenia uniflora (L.) to Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) and selectivity to the parasitoid Cleruchoides noackae (Lin & Hubert) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)