Population dynamics and seasonal abundance of thaumastocoris peregrinus in eucalyptus plantations in sardinia (Italy)

Thaumastocoris peregrinus is a eucalyptus pest native to Australia. It is currently the only species belonging to the Thaumastocoridae family in Europe. In Italy, it was reported for the first time in Latium in 2011, whereas in Sardinia it was detected in January 2015 on a Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantation located in the south of the island. Our research team carried out a monitoring program for two-years in order to verify its geographical distribution, the main periods of infestation, the flight peaks of the adults and to also detect the presence of unhatched eggs on leaves. During the first year, the occurrence of adults of T. peregrinus was verified by yellow sticky traps placed in twelve areas distributed throughout the island where Eucalyptus plantations were located. In the second year, the population dynamics and the occurrence of eggs on leaves were evaluated only in three representative study areas, already included in the previous monitoring program, located in the north, centre and south of the island, respectively. Field surveys showed the presence of T. peregrinus in all the monitored locations. The highest adult population was observed from late summer to initial autumn, with a significant increase in adults caught by yellow sticky traps from August, which reached its peak in September and gradually decreased in the following months. The presence of eggs of T. peregrinus on leaves from June to December also indicates that the insect is currently well established in the region.