A TERRESTRIAL ISOPOD ( ARMADILLIDIUM ARCANGELII STROUHAL, 1929) AS A POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL PEST: A CASE STUDY ON MELON CROP (CUCUMIS MELO L.) IN ITALY

Terrestrial isopods are generally considered as detritivore invertebrates, but in recent years and in different parts of the world they seem to become potential agricultural pests for different crops. The crops affected so far have been mainly arable crops, but damages to few horticultural crops were also documented. Until now, no referenced problems with isopods as crop pests had ever occurred in Italy. In March/April 2023 on two organic farms in northern Italy newly transplanted seedlings of smooth melon in greenhouses were damaged by isopods. Among farms, the loss was estimated between 40% and 50% of the seedlings. The isopod that caused the damage was identified as Armadillidium arcangelii, and, until now, the species had never been reported as a crop pest. Key Words: New potential pest, Armadillidium arcangelii, terrestrial isopod, melon crop