Geographical distribution of the Bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero et Dellapé in Campania

In Europe, with 1.3 million hectares, Eucalyptus spp. are the most important dicotyledonous plantation and the only large scale and economically successful short rotation tree plantations. Many of the plantations are grown for commercial purposes as a source of renewable energy resources, pulp and paper industry, wood products, oils, tannins, nectar and honey. In addition the eucalypts are used to induce carbon sequestration, phytoremediation via salinity control, phytoremediation via rhizofiltering, as windbreaks, to stabilize the banks of rivers and canals and, like ornamental, along the streets and urban parks. This resource is seriously threatened by alien invasive pests and pathogens. Most of these movements have been relatively recent, like for the Bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero et Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae). Overthe past 10 years, the Bronze bug has rapidly established as a severe pest on several species of eucalypts and Corymbia citriodora subsp. Citriodora in the world. Infested eucalypts trees show leaf silvering, ranging from chlorosis to bronzing. Heavy infestations cause leaves to become red/brown, after which defoliation occurs. On September 2011, heavy infestations of T. peregrinus, first record of a member of the family Thaumastocoridae from Europe and Mediterranean Region, were found on several Eucalyptus species in the Italian region of Lazio. Since that time, the species has spread along the coastal area and in the neighboring region of Campania, where highly susceptible species of eucalypts are common (e.g. E. camaldulensis). A meticulous monitoring action has been carried out since first year of introduction in Campania. The dispersion and distribution of the bronze bug increases rapidly and the occurrence of this invasive species was recorded in many areas of the region. The localities were geo-referenced and illustrated by info- graphic.