First record of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) in the Middle East, with biological notes on its relations with eucalyptus trees

Abstract

We present the first Middle-Eastern record of Thaumastocoris peregrinus Car- pintero & Dellapé, an invasive pest that feeds and develops only on euca lyp tus trees. This species was found in Israel for the first time in Eucalyptus camaldu- lensis stands in October 2014. A survey of several eucalyptus groves was conducted in Tel Aviv and its surroundings to assess the geographical dis tri bu tion and host-plant associations of T. peregrinus . We summarize new and old data on this species, i.e., its identification, immature stages, bio logy, pheno logy, and damage caused to the host plant.