First record of Myzus mumecola (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the Czech Republic, and Humulus lupulus as its new secondary host in Europe

Abstract: The Asian apricot aphid, Myzus mumecola (Matsumura, 1917) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) is native to eastern Asia and its primary host plants include several Prunus spp. In Europe, it was first detected in Italy in 2016, followed by later records from Hungary and Serbia. In 2020, this apricot pest was found for the first time in the Czech Republic. Since then, colonies of M. mumecola have been observed on apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca) which are known to be one of its primary host plant species, in different parts of the country. Spring populations induced curling and discoloration of apricot leaves. Despite the assumption that the species is dicyclic, the secondary host of M. mumecola in Europe was not known until now. In 2022, alate females and colonies of nymphs were first observed on hops (Humulus lupulus), both wild and in hop gardens, at several locations in the Czech Republic. Therefore, hop is reported here for the first time as a secondary host plant of M. mumecola in Europe.

Key words: Alien species, faunistics, pest, Sternorrhyncha, Aphidoidea, Asian apricot aphid, host plant, central Europe, Moravia, Silesia