First records of Oxycarenus lavaterae (Heteroptera: Oxycarenidae) from the Czech Republic, with review of its distribution and biology

Abstract: Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius, 1787) is recorded for the first time in the territory of the Czech Republic (southern Moravia). Additional distributional records from Algeria, Canary Islands, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia and Switzerland are given. Distribution maps of O. lavaterae in Europe including the Mediterranean area, in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia are presented. Distribution and various aspects of biology of this invasive species are reviewed. The larvae of O. lavaterae develop on plants from the families Malvaceae and Tiliaceae. The adults may utilize for nutrition or overwintering many additional species belonging to at least 20 plant families. Both adults and larvae are gregarious, forming conspicuous aggregations throughout the year, which are especially apparent on tree stems during mass overwintering. O. lavaterae may cause damages on several cultivated crops (peach, apricot, ornamental Malvaceae) or nuisance to people by crowding on house walls or entering households. Supplementary records of the expanding species Oxycarenus pallens (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1850) from the Czech Republic are mentioned.

Key words: Faunistics, biology, Heteroptera, Oxycarenidae, Czech Republic, Moravia, Algeria, Canary Islands, France, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Yemen