MACROHOMOTOMA GLADIATA (HEMIPTERA HOMOTOMIDAE) SEASONAL POPULATION FLUCTUATION AND ITS NATURAL ENEMIES ON FICUS MICROCARPA IN GREECE

Abstract

Macrohomotoma gladiata (Kuwayama) (Hemiptera: Homotomidae) has been recently recorded in the Medi- terranean Basin causing serious damage on the widely cultivated ornamental tree Ficus microcarpa L.f. The population structure and seasonal fluctuation of M. gladiata were studied on F. microcarpa in Athens, Greece, from February 2019 to February 2020. In the samples, the presence of its natural enemies was recorded too. Eggs were recorded in May, August and from October to early January; the first two nymphal instars were recorded throughout the year but not in August and September whereas their densities reduced in early May; the middle-aged and the late instars nymphs were recorded in March and April and then appeared again in June and July. Based on our results 1) during winter, only young nymphs of M. gladiata were present; 2) under autumn and winter conditions, young nymphs do not develop further; and 3) most likely M. gladiata has a bivoltine life cycle or may complete a partial third generation in autumn. Parasitized M. gladiata nymphs by a Psyllaephagus Ashmead species were recorded from April to August, with the parasitism rate reaching to 81%. The predator Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) was present in low numbers in spring. This work revealed useful information for the phenology and rational management of this pest and the potential of its natural enemies in its control. Key Words: Macrohomotoma gladiata, Ficus microcarpa, life cycle, biological control, Anthocoris nemoralis, Psyllaephagus