First records of the North American leafhopper Gyponana mali (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) invading urban gardens and agroecosystems in Europe

The Nearctic leafhopper species Gyponana (Gyponana) mali DeLong, 1942 is reported from Europe for the first time and represents the first record of the tribe Gyponini Stal, 1870 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae: Gyponini) for the Palearctic Region. Specimens were collected in southern Switzerland (Ticino) and two regions of northern Italy (Lombardy and Veneto) in 2015-2019. The preferred host plant in these areas appears to be Cornus san-guinea L. Phylogenetic analysis of the COI barcode sequences grouped one of the European specimens with three individuals of G. (G.) mali from Ontario, Canada. Morphological study indicated that the male genitalia of the European population are intermediate between G. (G.) mali and G. (G.) extenda DeLong, 1942.

Automated summary

This study reports the first occurrence of the Nearctic leafhopper species Gyponana mali in Europe, representing the first record of the tribe Gyponini in the Palearctic Region. The preferred host plant in the studied areas appears to be Cornus sanguinea. Phylogenetic analysis grouped one European specimen with individuals from Ontario, Canada, while morphological study indicated similarities and differences between the European population and North American sub-species.