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Simple Summary: The accurate identification of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is complicated by its similarities to other species and taxonomic uncertainties. This represents a significant threat to fruit crops as it is already present in Europe, and this is a cause for great concern. To expedite identification, a reliable method using a unique technical approach was developed. The initial phase involved collecting specimens from the population present in Italy to create a large and representative sample, enabling us to optimize the method. This method has demonstrated high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting small amounts of B. dorsalis DNA. It now serves as a valuable tool for routine diagnostics, facilitating efficient pest management and detection. Given the recent infestations in Italy, this diagnostic protocol is crucial for monitoring and preventing the passive spread of B. dorsalis in Europe. Accurate identification of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), commonly known as the Oriental fruit fly, is a significant challenge due to the morphological convergence and taxonomic uncertainties of species belonging to the same genus. This highly polyphagous species poses a significant threat to fruit crops. With its potential establishment in Europe becoming a growing concern, there is an urgent need for rapid and efficient diagnostic methods. The study presented here introduces a diagnostic protocol based on real-time PCR using a TaqMan probe for the early and reproducible identification of B. dorsalis. Specimens representing the genetic diversity of the Italian population were collected and analyzed. Specific primers and probe were designed based on the conserved regions and an in silico analysis confirmed their specificity. The assay conditions were optimized, and analytical sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and reproducibility were evaluated. The protocol showed high sensitivity and specificity, accurately detecting low DNA concentrations of B. dorsalis. This standardized method provides a reliable tool for routine diagnostics, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of identifying the Oriental fruit fly at all stages of its development, thereby facilitating effective pest management measures. The development of this diagnostic protocol is crucial for monitoring and supporting efforts to prevent the passive spread of B. dorsalis in Europe, particularly in light of the recent active infestations detected in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red-necked longhorn beetle (RLB) Aromia bungii (Fald.) is an emerging pest of stone fruit trees, native to East Asia, accidentally introduced in Europe (Germany and Italy) and Japan. Threatening seriously the stone fruit crops in Europe, RLB was added to both the EPPO A1 and priority pest lists of quarantine species. Molecular analyses highlighted that all specimens recovered in southern Italy share the same haplotype, different from the German one, supporting that the invasive process in Europe started from at least two independent introductions. To fill the existing gap of biological knowledge about A. bungii, several laboratory tests were carried out on specimens collected in the outbreak area of Naples (Italy). Results suggest a high biotic potential of the RLB Italian population. Females showed a short pre-oviposition period while the period of oviposition lasted about three weeks, with a rate of 24.2 eggs/day. Each female laid an average of 587.5 eggs and spawned the largest amount of eggs during the first week after emergence. Fed males live up to 62 days at 20 °C while fed females about 63 days at 25 °C. These results are crucial to draw up a multi-facet IPM approach against A. bungii in the outbreak areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new gall midge, Asphondylia nepetae sp. n. Viggiani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), causing flower gall on Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), is described from Europe. The morphological characteristics of adult, larvae, and pupa are described and illustrated. Molecular approach (by sequencing 28S-D2, ITS2, and COI) confirmed that A. nepetae is a distinct species. The development of the gall is always associated with the presence of the fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug.: Fr.) Ces. and De Not. (Botryosphaeriales: Botryosphaeriaceae). The new species can complete several generations per year, on the flowers of the same host plant and its adults emerge from late spring to autumn. Pupae overwinter inside peculiar flower galls in a state of quiescence. The impact of the pest is highly variable with a percentage of flowers infested that ranged between 3 and 57.5% in the sampled years. Insect mortality was, at least in part, due to parasitoids that attack the young stages of the midge. Among them, the dominant species was Sigmophora brevicornis (Panzer) (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, in southern Italy (Campania) there was an outbreak of a sap beetle infesting stored walnut fruits. A monitoring activity started to assess the spread and impact of the pest in walnut orchards and in warehouses, and an integrative characterization led to identify the beetle as Carpophilus truncatus. This species has been in Europe for a long time, rare and harmless until recently. We show also that this species is the same recently recorded in other two continents, Latin America and Australia, where it is causing massive damage on walnut and almond fruits. The sharing of a mitochondrial haplotype among populations recorded on three continents suggests that a worldwide invasion might be ongoing. A Geographic Profiling approach has determined that the more virulent population was first introduced in Italy, and the climate conditions of areas where C. truncatus is currently widespread and harmful indicate that the entire walnuts world production is in jeopardy as this species could adapt to any of the main walnut and almond production areas., (© 2022. The Author(s).)