Insect pests affecting Eucalypts in Portugal

Current situation and future prospects

Abstract

Eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp.) early established outside their native range have typically benefited from a pest-free environment. However, over time, due to the circulation of people and goods, several Australian insects that attack eucalypts reached the regions where these trees are commercially planted. In Europe, Portugal is the country with the largest area planted with eucalypts (mostly Eucalyptus globulus), covering almost 850,000 hectares. Thirteen insect species native from Australia have already been found in Portugal affecting eucalypts. From these, the snout beetle (Gonipterus platensis), the bronze bug (Thaumastocoris peregrinus), the longhorned borers (Phoracantha semipunctata and P. recurva), and the tortoise beetle (Trachymela sloanei) are the most important pests. This work aims to review the status of these pests, their impacts, and the success of the management strategies that have been employed. Future challenges are also discussed.