First record of Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Hemiptera, Coreidae) in the Canary Islands, a novel pine pest detected through citizen science in an oceanic archipelago

BackgroundThe 'western seed bug', known as Leptoglossus occidentalis, is considered a global invasive species that has experienced a recent rapid expansion worldwide, becoming an important pest species for coniferous forests. New information With the 'Canary Islands early-warning network for the detection and intervention of invasive exotic species' (RedEXOS), this species was detected for the first time in the Canarian archipelago in an urban area in the eastern part of the island of Gran Canaria. This early detection is crucial for understanding the potential damage in one of the islands with the highest surface area of natural endemic pine forest.

Automated summary

The 'western seed bug' is a global invasive species that has rapidly expanded worldwide and become an important pest for coniferous forests. The early detection of this species in the Canary Islands allows for understanding the potential damage it may cause to the natural endemic pine forests, which are prevalent on the islands.