New data on the aphid (Hemiptera, Aphididae) fauna of New Caledonia: some new biosecurity threats in a biodiversity hotspot

By

Mille, Christian
Jourdan, Herve
Cazeres, Sylvie
Maw, Eric
Foottit, Robert George

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

943

Pages

53--89

Subjects

Aphids , biocontrol , Biosécurité , biosecurity , espèces envahissantes , invasive species , lutte biologique , Pests , pucerons , ravageurs

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.943.47785

 

Abstract

Thirty-three species of aphids are now established in New Caledonia. All species appear to have been introduced accidentally by human activity in the last century. Here, 17 aphid species are recorded for the first time:Aphis eugeniae,Aphis glycines,Aphis odinae,Aulacorthum solani,Brachycaudus helichrysi,Cerataphis orchidearum,Greenidea psidii,Hyperomyzus carduellinus,Hysteroneura setariae,Lipaphis pseudobrassicae,Micromyzus katoi,Myzus ornatus,Pentalonia caladii,Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae,Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale,Schizaphis rotundiventris, andTetraneura fusiformis. Thirteen more species are also more or less regularly intercepted at the borders through biosecurity surveys, without further establishment. This demonstrates that aphids represent a major biosecurity threat, including a threat as potential plant virus vectors. The reinforcement of biosecurity is a priority for such biodiversity hotspots, from the perspectives of both agriculture and the native environment. Prioritisation and promotion of local development of vegetable and fruit production, rather than their risky importation from abroad, is desirable. Such an approach also should be promoted and extended to other Pacific islands, which all share the lack of native aphid fauna and their associated plant disease vector risks.