Susan E. Halbert

The Mexican leafhopper Gyponana germari (Stål), previously reported in Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America, has recently been documented in the continental United States from Florida. The species is here reported for the first time from Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. Diagnosis of G. germari and its distinction from other similar Gyponana spp. in Florida are discussed. DNA sequence data for the loci 18S and 28S are reported for the first time, and the species is redescribed in detail. Potential interactions based on community science observations between G. germari and ants are briefly noted. The richness of the leafhopper genus Gyponana and adventive leafhoppers in Florida is briefly reviewed.

The flatid genus Vafer gen. nov. is described to accommodate two species: a new species from Florida, Vafer contractus sp. nov., and the Mexican species, Vafer plebeius (Kirkaldy) comb. nov., the latter transferred from Ormenis Stål. Vafer contractus sp. nov. is likely adventive to Florida from Central America. Vafer gen. nov. is placed in Flatinae, tribe Selizini. An amended diagnosis of Selizini is provided in the context of American taxa with representative genera illustrated and a list of included taxa. A key to the selizine genera north of Mexico is provided, and the historic composition of the tribe is reviewed. Two tribes are described from genera segregated from Selizini: Dascalini tribe nov. (accommodating Dascalia Stål, Leptodascalia Melichar, Locrona Fennah, and Pseudodascalia Melichar) and Exomini tribe nov. (accommodating Deocerus Metcalf & Bruner, Exoma Melichar, and Samcerus Medler). The genera Acanthoflata Fieber, Arelate Stål, Byllisana Metcalf & Bruner, and Ormenina Fennah are transferred to Selizini from other tribes. The genera Capistra Fennah and Eurocalia Van Duzee are transferred from Phromniini and Selizini, respectively, to Flatoidini (Flatoidinae).

Agonoscena succincta (Heeger, 1856) (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Aphalaridae) is a small psyllid of Mediterranean origin now present as an adventive species in several European, North African, and South American countries. This study documents that A. succincta also is now established in North America. Populations were discovered in eastern North America (4 locations) and in the northwestern United States (1 location) beginning with the initial eastern detection in 2015 and culminating with a July 2024 record from Washington State. Specimens were collected from common rue, Ruta graveolens (Sapindales: Rutaceae). Morphology, global distribution, and biology of A. succincta are briefly described. Sequencing of the mitochondrial CO1 gene showed that specimens from eastern and western North America were nearly identical genetically. A phylogenetic tree was constructed from these sequences and published sequences from five other Agonoscena grouped species, both by host plant and morphology. The importance of the host plant in global and local spread of A. succincta is explored in some depth. Host plants of A. succincta are limited to R. graveolens and fringed rue, Ruta chalepensis, both native to the Mediterranean Basin. As with other adventive psyllid species, establishment of A. succincta outside of its region of origin required presence of the natal host plant. Human-assisted spread of R. graveolens and R. chalepensis likely began millennia ago for medicinal, ceremonial, religious, and culinary purposes. These traditional uses led to entry by rue into the cultures of numerous ethnic or religious groups, and to the arrival of rue centuries ago in regions well outside of the ancestral range of the plants. Spread of Ruta continues today for some of these same ethnobotanical purposes, but also for its use as a landscape or container plant and as a target of pharmacological research. We examine how geographic spread of rue is linked to range expansion of A. succincta, and conclude that new records for A. succincta will continue to accumulate as the insect spreads and as previously unknown infestations are discovered.

PD Dr Daniel H. Burckhardt (Figs 1–4) turned 70 on 26 July 2023. His extensive body of work on the taxonomy of insects, initiated even before his doctoral thesis on Western Palaearctic Aphalaridae in 1983, has since expanded to encompass all major psyllid groups (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psylloidea), both extant and extinct, but also moss bugs (Hemiptera: Coleorrhyncha) and several families of beetles (Coleoptera, mainly Passandridae, but also Jacobsoniidae, Pterogeniidae and Staphylinidae). These contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on our global understanding of these relatively small and often overlooked groups of insects. The biographical details of Daniel Burckhardt’s career and life will not be revisited here, as they have already been thoroughly documented elsewhere. In terms of his tireless dedication and remarkable productivity, the comprehensive list of his publications at the end of this article speaks for itself. Another telling measure of his influence within entomology is the number of PhD students he has mentored, formally or informally, many of whom have gone on to establish successful careers in leading research institutions and natural history museums across Europe and beyond. At a time when taxonomic expertise is rapidly declining, with serious implications for biodiversity research, agriculture and conservation, his intellectual legacy, marked by rigour, precision, and clarity, has been effectively passed on to the next generation. This tribute aims above all to highlight the personal and professional impact Daniel Burckhardt has had on so many colleagues and collaborators. Rather than a conventional biography, it offers a space for those who have worked with him to share their experiences and anecdotes, and to reflect on the influence he has had on their scientific journeys.

An effective surveillance method for invasive insect pests is critical for timely detection and management. This study explores the effectiveness of eight active sampling methods for detecting the presence of the two-spot cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)), a newly emerging adventive pest in the U.S.A. that is causing economic losses in cotton and okra. We conducted field studies to compare aspirating, bagging, beat sheet, sweep netting, and four tray-based methods: a dry tray, or a tray with 70% isopropyl alcohol, tap water, or soapy water. While aspirating and bagging served as adequate sampling methods, we found that sampling with a tray containing 70% isopropyl alcohol proved to be the most effective and time-efficient approach. This method consistently enabled rapid detection of adult male specimens across both low- and high-population field sites, facilitating reliable morphological identification.

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) is an invasive tree in Florida, USA, for which a psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), was successfully established in April, 2002 to control its spread. A parasitoid wasp, Psyllaephagus migrator McClelland, sp. nov. was found to parasitize this psyllid in Australia, which we consider to be its native range, and in Florida, where we consider it to be adventive. We provide a description, high resolution images and morphological diagnosis for P. migrator and a molecular data set of five gene regions to facilitate its identification and use in phylogenetic studies. The biology of the parasitoid is presented with documentation of its immature stages. Trapping data suggest that P. migrator has reduced populations of the biocontrol agent B. melaleucae in Florida.

For the years 1990–2023, we compile a list of adventive arthropods found in situations indicating establishment in Florida, as recorded by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) through various publications and other official media outlets. As the center for regulatory entomology in Florida with a strength for arthropod identification in the southeastern United States, FDACS-DPI collaborates with multiple regional agencies (government, university, and private) to find and recognize adventive taxa in the region. These collaborating agencies all have a common goal to respond rapidly with any regulatory or mitigative actions needed to manage newly discovered invasive pests. The list presented here contains 450 adventive species of arthropods, 291 (64.7 %) of which are new Continental United States or Western Hemisphere records, and 162 (36.0 %) of which are considered invasive pests. Hemiptera (152 species) had the most species, followed by Coleoptera (75 species), the combined mite orders (71 species), and Lepidoptera (53 species). These data are compared to other states (Hawaii and California) which also have high numbers of adventive species, noting trends in total numbers for these different regions by decade, starting in 1900. Reasons for the apparent increase of adventive species into Florida over recent decades are discussed. Each of the 450 species has a brief account containing references to the original documentation of the record, suspected region of origin, and comments on its status, hosts, or recent history in Florida. We hope these data foster further work on adventive arthropods in Florida.

A new species of Patara Westwood, Patara dolos sp. n. Bahder, Bartlett & Wilson, is described from Puerto Rico and Florida. This species is considered to be adventive in the United States. In addition, supplemental molecular data for the barcoding region (5′ half) of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the 18S rRNA gene and D9–D10 expansion region of the 28S rRNA gene are presented. Furthermore, phenology data are provided to show seasonal trends and population growth since the first appearance of P. dolos , sp. n. in Florida, as well as the current distribution in the state.

Invasive insects threaten ecosystem stability, public health, and food security. Documenting newly invasive species and understanding how they reach into new territories, establish populations, and interact with other species remain vitally important. Here, we report on the invasion of the South American leafhopper, Curtara insularis into Africa, where it has established populations in Ghana, encroaching inland at least 350 km off the coast. Importantly, 80% of the specimens collected were intercepted between 160 and 190 m above ground. Further, the fraction of this species among all insects collected was also higher at altitude, demonstrating its propensity to engage in high-altitude windborne dispersal. Its aerial densities at altitude translate into millions of migrants/km over a year, representing massive propagule pressure. Given the predominant south-westerly winds, these sightings suggest an introduction of C. insularis into at least one of the Gulf of Guinea ports. To assess the contribution of windborne dispersal to its spread in a new territory, we examine records of C. insularis range-expansion in the USA. Reported first in 2004 from central Florida, it reached north Florida (Panhandle) by 2008–2011 and subsequently spread across the southeastern and south-central US. Its expansion fits a “diffusion-like” process with 200—300 km long “annual displacement steps”—a pattern consistent with autonomous dispersal rather than vehicular transport. Most “steps” are consistent with common wind trajectories from the nearest documented population, assuming 2—8 hours of wind-assisted flight at altitude. Curtara insularis has been intercepted at US ports and on trucks. Thus, it uses multiple dispersal modalities, yet its rapid overland spread is better explained by its massive propagule pressure linked with its high-altitude windborne dispersal. We propose that high-altitude windborne dispersal is common yet under-appreciated in invasive insect species.

The interstate highways I-10, I-75, and I-95 are key routes for long-distance truckers carrying agricultural products between states and countries. These products often carry pests. Inspectors from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) work with Agricultural Law Enforcement officers at agricultural inspection stations along these interstate highways. Samples of suspect pests are collected by DPI inspectors and sent for identification. From 2009 to 2021, there were 5,408 samples submitted to entomologists at DPI from inspection stations. These samples resulted in 14,835 interception identifications, of which 1,466 (9.9 %) were pests of regulatory significance to Florida agriculture. Of the regulatorily significant pests, 61.3 % were hemipterans. Several regulated hemipterans, including the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Triozidae), are known to be vectors of plant pathogens that do not occur in Florida. Inspection station interceptions are an important tool for monitoring potentially invasive pests, as is demonstrated in the case of the Ligurian leafhopper, Eupteryx decemnotata (Rey) (Cicadellidae), which was intercepted alive at the agricultural inspection stations several times and subsequently found to be established in Florida in 2021. Interceptions at Florida’s agricultural inspection stations can include pests that are not yet present in the United States, such as the armored scale Davidsonaspis aguacatae (Evans, Watson & Miller) (Diaspididae). This species is regularly intercepted alive on avocados and threatens domestically grown avocados. Our data illustrate the importance of interstate highways as a pathway for agricultural pests and of inspection stations as an early warning system for invasive insects.