First records of Monosteira unicostata (Mulsant and Rey, 1852) (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA: TINGIDAE) in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

The species of true bug Monosteira unicostata (Mulsant and Rey) (Heteroptera: Tingidae: Tinginae: Tingini), called “false tiger” or “poplar lace bug”, is a pest of Salicaceae, recently introduced in Argentina, which has been reported so far for the provinces of Mendoza and Río Negro. The aim of this paper is to cite for the first time the presence of M. unicostata for the province of Buenos Aires and to provide data on its host plants and potential predatory insects or natural enemies. Based on the original description, and the observation of numerous specimens collected for this research, the diagnostic characters of the species are indicated.  M. unicostata was observed in 12 districts of the province of Buenos Aires, corresponding to three different regions: i) southwest of the province, ii) basin of the Salado and Samborombón rivers, iii) south of the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. In addition, six new hosts of Salicaceae for M. unicostata within Argentina are mentioned: Populus alba L. var pyramidalis, P. nigra cv italica, P. x canescens, a hybrid clone of the group Salix alba x Salix babylonica, Salix fragilis and Salix matsudana cv tortuosa. Images of adults and nymphs, and symptoms on the leaves of the host species, are presented. The presence of Harmonia axyridis (Coccinellidae; Coleoptera) and a species of Crysopidae were observed as possible natural enemies of the reported pest.