succincta (Heeger, 1856) (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Aphalaridae) is a small psyllid of Mediterranean origin now present as an adventive species in several European, North African, and South American countries. This study documents that A. succincta also is now established in North America. Populations were discovered in eastern North America (4 locations) and in the northwestern United States (1 location) beginning with the initial eastern detection in 2015 and culminating with a July 2024 record from Washington State. Specimens were collected from common rue, Ruta graveolens (Sapindales: Rutaceae). Morphology, global distribution, and biology of A. succincta are briefly described. Sequencing of the mitochondrial CO1 gene showed that specimens from eastern and western North America were nearly identical genetically. A phylogenetic tree was constructed from these sequences and published sequences from five other Agonoscena grouped species, both by host plant and morphology. The importance of the host plant in global and local spread of A. succincta is explored in some depth. Host plants of A. succincta are limited to R. graveolens and fringed rue, Ruta chalepensis, both native to the Mediterranean Basin. As with other adventive psyllid species, establishment of A. succincta outside of its region of origin required presence of the natal host plant. Human-assisted spread of R. graveolens and R. chalepensis likely began millennia ago for medicinal, ceremonial, religious, and culinary purposes. These traditional uses led to entry by rue into the cultures of numerous ethnic or religious groups, and to the arrival of rue centuries ago in regions well outside of the ancestral range of the plants. Spread of Ruta continues today for some of these same ethnobotanical purposes, but also for its use as a landscape or container plant and as a target of pharmacological research. We examine how geographic spread of rue is linked to range expansion of A. succincta, and conclude that new records for A. succincta will continue to accumulate as the insect spreads and as previously unknown infestations are discovered.

The flatid genus Vafer gen. nov. is described to accommodate two species: a new species from Florida, Vafer contractus sp. nov., and the Mexican species, Vafer plebeius (Kirkaldy) comb. nov., the latter transferred from Ormenis Stål. Vafer contractus sp. nov. is likely adventive to Florida from Central America. Vafer gen. nov. is placed in Flatinae, tribe Selizini. An amended diagnosis of Selizini is provided in the context of American taxa with representative genera illustrated and a list of included taxa. A key to the selizine genera north of Mexico is provided, and the historic composition of the tribe is reviewed. Two tribes are described from genera segregated from Selizini: Dascalini tribe nov. (accommodating Dascalia Stål, Leptodascalia Melichar, Locrona Fennah, and Pseudodascalia Melichar) and Exomini tribe nov. (accommodating Deocerus Metcalf & Bruner, Exoma Melichar, and Samcerus Medler). The genera Acanthoflata Fieber, Arelate Stål, Byllisana Metcalf & Bruner, and Ormenina Fennah are transferred to Selizini from other tribes. The genera Capistra Fennah and Eurocalia Van Duzee are transferred from Phromniini and Selizini, respectively, to Flatoidini (Flatoidinae).

The Mexican leafhopper Gyponana germari (Stål), previously reported in Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America, has recently been documented in the continental United States from Florida. The species is here reported for the first time from Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. Diagnosis of G. germari and its distinction from other similar Gyponana spp. in Florida are discussed. DNA sequence data for the loci 18S and 28S are reported for the first time, and the species is redescribed in detail. Potential interactions based on community science observations between G. germari and ants are briefly noted. The richness of the leafhopper genus Gyponana and adventive leafhoppers in Florida is briefly reviewed.

Triatoma sanguisuga is the most widely distributed triatomine vector in North America, occurring in at least 23 U.S. states across and capable of transmitting Trypanosoma cruzi to humans. Historical morphological variability led to the description of several subspecies, but their taxonomic validity has remained unresolved. We integrated molecular (cytochrome b, n=58; ITS-2, n=23) and morphometric (18 characters, n=82 specimens) data to reassess species boundaries within T. sanguisuga sensu lato. Four species-delimitation methods (GMYC, ABGD, mPTP, hierBAPS) consistently identified four divergent mitochondrial lineages with K2P distances of 4.5-8.8%. Florida specimens formed a distinct, strongly supported clade (Group 1; K2P >7.5% from other groups) corresponding to T. sanguisuga var. ambigua (Neiva, 1911). Linear discriminant analysis achieved 100% classification accuracy between Florida and non-Florida morphotypes, with synthlipsis width providing the strongest diagnostic character (AUC >0.96). Based on concordant genetic and morphological evidence, we revalidate Triatoma ambigua (Neiva, 1911) stat. nov. as a distinct species within a newly defined T. sanguisuga complex and designate a lectotype from the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz collection. Sampling focused primarily on Florida; additional sampling in adjacent southeastern states is needed to characterize geographic boundaries. These findings have implications for Chagas disease vector surveillance in the southeastern United States.

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) is an invasive tree in Florida, USA, for which a psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), was successfully established in April, 2002 to control its spread. A parasitoid wasp, Psyllaephagus migrator McClelland, sp. nov. was found to parasitize this psyllid in Australia, which we consider to be its native range, and in Florida, where we consider it to be adventive. We provide a description, high resolution images and morphological diagnosis for P. migrator and a molecular data set of five gene regions to facilitate its identification and use in phylogenetic studies. The biology of the parasitoid is presented with documentation of its immature stages. Trapping data suggest that P. migrator has reduced populations of the biocontrol agent B. melaleucae in Florida.

For the years 1990–2023, we compile a list of adventive arthropods found in situations indicating establishment in Florida, as recorded by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) through various publications and other official media outlets. As the center for regulatory entomology in Florida with a strength for arthropod identification in the southeastern United States, FDACS-DPI collaborates with multiple regional agencies (government, university, and private) to find and recognize adventive taxa in the region. These collaborating agencies all have a common goal to respond rapidly with any regulatory or mitigative actions needed to manage newly discovered invasive pests. The list presented here contains 450 adventive species of arthropods, 291 (64.7 %) of which are new Continental United States or Western Hemisphere records, and 162 (36.0 %) of which are considered invasive pests. Hemiptera (152 species) had the most species, followed by Coleoptera (75 species), the combined mite orders (71 species), and Lepidoptera (53 species). These data are compared to other states (Hawaii and California) which also have high numbers of adventive species, noting trends in total numbers for these different regions by decade, starting in 1900. Reasons for the apparent increase of adventive species into Florida over recent decades are discussed. Each of the 450 species has a brief account containing references to the original documentation of the record, suspected region of origin, and comments on its status, hosts, or recent history in Florida. We hope these data foster further work on adventive arthropods in Florida.

An effective surveillance method for invasive insect pests is critical for timely detection and management. This study explores the effectiveness of eight active sampling methods for detecting the presence of the two-spot cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)), a newly emerging adventive pest in the U.S.A. that is causing economic losses in cotton and okra. We conducted field studies to compare aspirating, bagging, beat sheet, sweep netting, and four tray-based methods: a dry tray, or a tray with 70% isopropyl alcohol, tap water, or soapy water. While aspirating and bagging served as adequate sampling methods, we found that sampling with a tray containing 70% isopropyl alcohol proved to be the most effective and time-efficient approach. This method consistently enabled rapid detection of adult male specimens across both low- and high-population field sites, facilitating reliable morphological identification.

Invasive insects threaten ecosystem stability, public health, and food security. Documenting newly invasive species and understanding how they reach into new territories, establish populations, and interact with other species remain vitally important. Here, we report on the invasion of the South American leafhopper, Curtara insularis into Africa, where it has established populations in Ghana, encroaching inland at least 350 km off the coast. Importantly, 80% of the specimens collected were intercepted between 160 and 190 m above ground. Further, the fraction of this species among all insects collected was also higher at altitude, demonstrating its propensity to engage in high-altitude windborne dispersal. Its aerial densities at altitude translate into millions of migrants/km over a year, representing massive propagule pressure. Given the predominant south-westerly winds, these sightings suggest an introduction of C. insularis into at least one of the Gulf of Guinea ports. To assess the contribution of windborne dispersal to its spread in a new territory, we examine records of C. insularis range-expansion in the USA. Reported first in 2004 from central Florida, it reached north Florida (Panhandle) by 2008–2011 and subsequently spread across the southeastern and south-central US. Its expansion fits a “diffusion-like” process with 200—300 km long “annual displacement steps”—a pattern consistent with autonomous dispersal rather than vehicular transport. Most “steps” are consistent with common wind trajectories from the nearest documented population, assuming 2—8 hours of wind-assisted flight at altitude. Curtara insularis has been intercepted at US ports and on trucks. Thus, it uses multiple dispersal modalities, yet its rapid overland spread is better explained by its massive propagule pressure linked with its high-altitude windborne dispersal. We propose that high-altitude windborne dispersal is common yet under-appreciated in invasive insect species.

The interstate highways I-10, I-75, and I-95 are key routes for long-distance truckers carrying agricultural products between states and countries. These products often carry pests. Inspectors from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) work with Agricultural Law Enforcement officers at agricultural inspection stations along these interstate highways. Samples of suspect pests are collected by DPI inspectors and sent for identification. From 2009 to 2021, there were 5,408 samples submitted to entomologists at DPI from inspection stations. These samples resulted in 14,835 interception identifications, of which 1,466 (9.9 %) were pests of regulatory significance to Florida agriculture. Of the regulatorily significant pests, 61.3 % were hemipterans. Several regulated hemipterans, including the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (& Scaron;ulc) (Triozidae), are known to be vectors of plant pathogens that do not occur in Florida. Inspection station interceptions are an important tool for monitoring potentially invasive pests, as is demonstrated in the case of the Ligurian leafhopper, Eupteryx decemnotata (Rey) (Cicadellidae), which was intercepted alive at the agricultural inspection stations several times and subsequently found to be established in Florida in 2021. Interceptions at Florida's agricultural inspection stations can include pests that are not yet present in the United States, such as the armored scale Davidsonaspis aguacatae (Evans, Watson & Miller) (Diaspididae). This species is regularly intercepted alive on avocados and threatens domestically grown avocados. Our data illustrate the importance of interstate highways as a pathway for agricultural pests and of inspection stations as an early warning system for invasive insects. Las carreteras interestatales I-10, I-75 y I-95 son rutas clave para los camioneros de larga distancia que transportan productos agr & iacute;colas entre estados y pa & iacute;ses. Estos productos suelen ser portadores de plagas. Los inspectores de Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) trabajan con agentes agr & iacute;colas en las estaciones de inspecci & oacute;n a lo largo de estas carreteras interestatales. Los inspectores del DPI recolectan muestras de plagas sospechosas y las env & iacute;an para su identificaci & oacute;n. Desde 2009 a 2021, se han enviado desde las estaciones de inspecci & oacute;n 5408 muestras a los entom & oacute;logos del DPI. Estas muestras dieron como resultado 14835 identificaciones de intercepci & oacute;n, de las cuales 1466 (9,9 %) eran plagas de importancia regulatoria para la agricultura de Florida. De las plagas de importancia regulatoria, el 61,3 % eran hem & iacute;pteros. Es sabido que varios hem & iacute;pteros regulados, incluyendo el ps & iacute;lido de la papa, Bactericera cockerelli (& Scaron;ulc) (Triozidae), son vectores de pat & oacute;genos vegetales que no se encuentran en Florida. Las intercepciones que ocurren en las estaciones de inspecci & oacute;n son una herramienta importante para monitorear plagas potencialmente invasoras. Esto qued & oacute; demostrado en el caso del saltahojas de Liguria, Eupteryx decemnotata (Rey) (Cicadellidae), que fue interceptado varias veces vivo en las estaciones de inspecci & oacute;n agr & iacute;cola y posteriormente se descubri & oacute; en 2021 que estaba establecido en Florida. Las intercepciones en las estaciones de inspecci & oacute;n agr & iacute;cola de Florida pueden incluir plagas que a & uacute;n no est & aacute;n presentes en los Estados Unidos, como la escama acorazada Davidsonaspis aguacatae (Evans, Watson & Miller) (Diaspididae). Esta especie es interceptada viva, en forma regular, en los aguacates y amenaza a los aguacates cultivados del pa & iacute;s. Nuestros datos ilustran la importancia de las carreteras interestatales como v & iacute;a para las plagas agr & iacute;colas y de las estaciones de inspecci & oacute;n como sistema de alerta temprana para insectos invasores.

Cacopsylla pyricola (Förster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is the most expensive and challenging insect pest of commercial pear trees in the Pacific Northwest. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs are working toward relying more heavily on natural enemies to reduce insecticide use. Trechnites insidiosus (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is the main parasitoid of C. pyricola, but little is known about its biology in the region. Developing sampling tools is important for the deployment of IPM programs, including monitoring of natural enemies. In this study, we examined 2 conventional monitoring methods: beat trays and yellow sticky cards, in addition to screened sticky cards and 3D-printed cylinder traps. Additionally, we tested an overwintering trap for the collection of parasitized C. pyricola. The trapping methods were tested in orchards in Oregon and Washington. Unscreened cards caught the most T. insidiosus and C. pyricola, followed by screened cards, cylinder traps, and then beat trays. Beat trays sometimes failed to catch any T. insidiosus, even when it was found in abundance via other methods. Screened cards and cylinder traps reduced bycatch and increased ease of identifying T. insidiosus. Specimens from the cylinder traps were also more suitable for use in molecular analysis. The overwintering traps were effective at capturing parasitized C. pyricola, but were highly variable year to year. The ideal trapping method will vary based on research needs (e.g., DNA preservation, reducing bycatch, catching higher numbers), but both screened sticky cards and cylinder traps were viable methods for monitoring T. insidiosus and its host.

The Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA) is one of the largest and most diverse insect collections in North America and the largest in the southeastern United States with over twelve million curated specimens and significant amounts of materials in bulk collections and other unprocessed samples. The order Hemiptera currently comprises approximately 95,000 species in three suborders. The FSCA houses type material in the auchenorrhynchan families Cicadidae, Cicadellidae, Cixiidae, Delphacidae, Derbidae, and Membracidae; the heteropteran families Coreidae, Corixidae, Curaliidae, Lygaeidae, Miridae, Pentatomidae, Reduviidae, Schizopteridae, Scutelleridae, and Tingidae; the sternorrhynchan families Aleyrodidae, Aphalaridae, Aphididae, Coccidae, Diaspididae, Matsucoccidae, Pseudococcidae, Phacopteronidae, and Triozidae. This catalog documents the FSCA primary type material for 167 species in 79 genera in 24 families across the three suborders.

Leafhopper specimens of the genus Balclutha Kirkaldy, found in southern Florida (Palm Beach and Collier Counties), United States, beginning in 2020, and in shipments of plant products originating from Colombia and entering the United States beginning in 2019, are identified as B. jafara Webb. This species was previously known only from the Seychelles and Aldabra Islands, which are parts of the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean east of mainland Africa. Identifications were made by comparison with type specimens, both morphologically and through molecular analysis. Specimens in Palm Beach Co. were swept from commercial rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddies. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcodes of specimens from Florida and Colombia were closely matched to each other and to partial barcodes obtained from paratype specimens of B. jafara. The COI barcodes also closely matched sequences from previously unidentified Balclutha specimens in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) from Kenya and South Africa, several of which were confirmed later morphologically as B. jafara. Previously unidentified museum specimens from South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were determined as B. jafara. Together, these specimens show that B. jafara has a more widespread African distribution than was known previously, and that it arrived in the Western Hemisphere by 2019. Balclutha jafara is redescribed and illustrated. Further studies on the Balclutha fauna of Florida were performed. COI barcode data were generated for Floridian specimens of B. caldwelli Blocker, B. curvata Caldwell, B. flavescens (Baker), B. frontalis (Ferrari), B. incisa (Matsumura), and B. lucida (Butler). A phylogenetic analysis of COI data was conducted using publicly available sequences and those generated here. A key to the Balclutha species known from Florida is provided. The names that have been applied and mis-applied to Western Hemisphere species are discussed. To clarify the identity of some species, illustrations are given for: the female holotype and a male paratype of Eugnathodus virescens Osborn (=B. flavescens); the holotype of Nesosteles robustus Caldwell (=B. robusta); and the holotype of Balclutha curvata Caldwell. Additional barcoded specimens of Balclutha from Kenya and Pakistan were provided for examination by the BOLD research group and determined as B. sujawalensis Ahmed, previously known only from India and Pakistan, and this species is also illustrated here.

Two psyllids that feed on Eucalyptus were found for the first time in Florida in the spring of 2001 in tourist parks in the Orlando area: Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, the red gum lerp psyllid, and Blastopsylla occidentalis Taylor, the eucalyptus psyllid. Both species originate in Australia and already are well established in California, which is the most likely immediate source of the Florida populations. This document is EENY-306 (originally published as DPI Entomology Circular 407), one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: October 2003. EENY-306/IN583: Eucalyptus Psyllid, Blastopsylla occidentalis Taylor and Red Gum Lerp Psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Insecta: Hemiptera: Psyllidae) (ufl.edu)

Acizzia convector Burckhardt & Taylor, sp. nov., a psyllid originating from Australia, is described from material from Australia (NT), South and Southeast Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia [Sabah], Singapore and Thailand) and North America (USA [Florida from six counties]). The new species is diagnosed and illustrated, and a key is provided to identify the adults of Acizzia species adventive in the New World. The new species develops on Acacia auriculiformis and A. mangium (Fabaceae), two mimosoids planted and widely naturalised throughout the tropics. While the presence of A. convector sp. nov. in Florida is probably recent (earliest record from October 2014), it occurs in Southeast Asia at least since the 1980s. The wide distribution of the host plants in tropical Africa and South America would allow the psyllids also to occur there.

Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso), the pathogen that causes potato zebra chip. Zebra chip incidence varies regionally, perhaps because of geographic differences in species of noncrop hosts available to the vector and in susceptibility of those hosts to Lso. Native and introduced species of Lycium (Solanales: Solanaceae) are important noncrop hosts of B. cockerelli in some regions of North America. Susceptibility of native Lycium species to Lso is uncertain. We investigated the use of two native species of Lycium by B. cockerelli in South Texas and tested whether they are susceptible to Lso. Bactericera cockerelli adults and nymphs were collected frequently from L. berlandieri Dunal and L. carolinianum Walter. Greenhouse assays confirmed that B. cockerelli develops on both species and showed that Lso infects L. carolinianum. Molecular gut content analysis provided evidence that B. cockerelli adults disperse between potato and Lycium. These results demonstrate that L. berlandieri and L. carolinianum are likely noncrop sources of potato-colonizing B. cockerelli in South Texas and that L. carolinianum is a potential source of Lso-infected psyllids. We also routinely collected the congeneric psyllid, Bactericera dorsalis (Crawford), from both Lycium species. These records are the first for this psyllid in Texas. Bactericera dorsalis completed development on both native Lycium species, albeit with high rates of mortality on L. berlandieri. B. dorsalis acquired and transmitted Lso on L. carolinianum under greenhouse conditions but did not transmit Lso to potato. These results document a previously unknown vector of Lso.

Hamamelistes and Hormaphis aphids of the tribe Hormaphidini are distributed disjunctly in eastern North America and Eurasia. Host-alternating species have life cycles encompassing generations in a gall on witch-hazel (Hamamelis spp.) and generations on leaves of birch (Betula spp.). In Hamamelistes, generations on witch-hazel induce globular pouch galls on flower or leaf buds. Herbarium specimens of a related Hamamelidaceae genus, Fothergilla, contain large galls in place of the seed head. We obtained a fresh sample of these elongate pouch galls collected from F. milleri in Alabama, USA. The galls were formed in place of fruiting structures and contained numerous aphids. Examination of morphology and the cytochrome oxidase subunit I barcode DNA sequence confirmed that the aphids are an undescribed species of Hamamelistes. Here, we describe the new species, Hamamelistes blackmani Dederich von Dohlen sp. n., from the morphology of foundresses, immatures, and winged forms in the gall. The life cycle is presumed monoecious. In addition, we review the evidence for including other genera in Hormaphidini and recommend that this tribe be restricted to Hamamelistes and Hormaphis.

Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) includes several families of sap-feeding insects that tend to feed on a wide-range of host plants. Some species within Auchenorrhyncha are major agricultural pests that transmit plant pathogens or cause direct feeding damage. Nearly all pest Auchenorrhyncha are highly polyphagous, have mobile nymphs, and colonize crops from noncrop habitats. We examined whether methods for gut content analysis developed for more specialized Hemiptera identify dietary history of polyphagous Auchenorrhyncha. We used high-throughput sequencing of the plant genes trnF and ITS to examine the dietary history of Circulifer tenellus (Baker) (Cicadellidae), Colladonus geminatus (Van Duzee) (Cicadellidae), Colladonus montanus reductus (Van Duzee) (Cicadellidae), and Lycorma delicatula (White) (Fulgoridae). C. tenellus is a vector of the vegetable pathogens Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii and beat curly top virus. Both Colladonus species are vectors of Ca. Phytoplasma pruni, the pathogen associated with X-disease of stone fruits. Lycorma delicatula is an invasive pest of grape and ornamentals in the eastern United States. Results showed spring hosts for C. tenellus included Brassicaceae, especially Sisymbrium sp. (tumble mustard), and spring hosts for both Colladonus species included Taraxacum sp. (dandelion). Gut content analysis also detected a decrease in host-breadth by L. delicatula from early to late instars. Results demonstrate that directed sequencing of plant DNA identified the dietary history of leafhopper and planthopper pests. Expanded use of gut content analysis will help identify the noncrop sources of phytoplasma-infected C. tenellus and Colladonus, and to examine seasonal changes in host shifts by L. delicatula.

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB) is a severe problem for citrus cultivation. The disease management programs benefit from improved field tools suitable for surveying the ACP vector (Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)) and the associated pathogen. In the present study, we utilize three-dimensional (3D) printers and design tools to develop traps that can capture and preserve ACPs. Three novel, 3D-printed traps were designed and evaluated: stem trap, and cylinder traps 1 and 2. The traps and yellow sticky cards were deployed weekly for 8 months in 2 non-commercial citrus groves in Florida; in California, the traps were evaluated for 12 months in field cages and 4 citrus groves. The stem traps captured lower numbers of ACPs at all experimental sites compared to the cylinder traps. Capture rates in the cylinder traps were comparable to the sticky trap, making the device a viable tool for monitoring field ACPs. The two main advantages of using the reusable 3D traps over standard methods of ACP and HLB surveys include dynamic sampling that can be conducted year-round and the capture of ACPs that can be preserved and tested. Improved trapping may facilitate quick management decisions and mitigate HLB.