Europe is threatened by pests originating from China. A new insect species, Lycorma delicatula, is a threat to plant life.

The pest comes from China, Vietnam and Taiwan and was accidentally brought to South Korea and Japan, where in the mid-2000s. More recently, in 2014, it was spotted in Pennsylvania (USA), and its prevalence has increased with increasing population density and has since been a threat to America and Europe.

In Pennsylvania, the wine industry suffered devastating damage, where some growers reported a 90% reduction in yield due to this pest.

In addition to grapes, the pest is also threatened by the fruit species of the genera Malus, Prunus and Pyrus (apple, plum, pear), as well as ornamental and forest trees. However, the greatest damage so far has been seen on the vine.

About 700 thousand insects belong to pests.

The fore wings of the pest Lycorma delicatula are grayish with black dots, part of the hind wing is red with black dots, the rest is white and black, and the abdomen is yellowish with black stripes.

He has one generation a year, and he hibernates at the egg stage. Lays 30 to 50 eggs, covered with a yellowish-brown waxy layer, similar to dirt. In addition to trees, he lays eggs in other places, such as bricks, stones, vehicles, or dead plants.

In Europe, this pest has not yet been observed or recorded, but it cannot be ruled out that there may already be an imperceptible small population, especially near airports, ports or railway stations where the invasion can begin.

Active biocontrol is important for natural enemies. Known natural enemies of L.delicatula are parasite wasps (Anastatus orientalis and Drynus sp.).

Natural enemies can become potential agents for biological control, reducing the density of pests and slowing down the spread, which will reduce the economic or environmental damage associated with this pest.

• Earlier we reported that a voracious pest got to the Vinnitsa region.
• A dangerous agricultural pest has been intercepted on the US-Mexico border.
• We also wrote that a quarantine pest was noticed in two regions of Ukraine.
• In Ukraine, the number of wild pollinating insects has sharply decreased.
• In the new center of Belgium, insects and plants will be examined.