Florida Entomologist (2018) 101, 634-641

Brian W. Bahder, Susan Halbert, De-Fen Mou, Ericka E. Helmick, Noemi Soto, Miriel Otero and Alejandro E. Segarra (2018)
Establishment of the sea grape flatid, Petrusa epilepsis (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Flatidae), in Florida
Florida Entomologist 101 (4), 634-641
Abstract: The sea grape flatid, Petrusa epilepsis (Kirkaldy) (Hemiptera: Flatidae) is a polyphagous, widespread planthopper in the Caribbean that infests common ornamental plants, as well as some of agricultural importance. In 2015, P. epilepsis was found in Florida for the first time, and was confirmed to be established in 2017 by the detection of eggs and nymphs on various ornamental plants located at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie, Florida, USA. In this study, 9 new host plants are reported with 1 representing a new host family (Araliaceae). Additionally, the presence of adults, eggs, and nymphs of various sizes suggests that there are overlapping generations. Molecular analysis reveals no genetic variation of the COI gene. This study records establishment of another invasive species that has the potential to become a pest due to the large number of ornamental plants that are grown in South Florida that could serve as hosts of P. epilepsis elsewhere in Florida and the Caribbean.
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Database assignments for author(s): Susan E. Halbert

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
new introduction of pest
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Petrusa epilepsis	Cordia (crop)	U.S.A. (SE)
	Petrusa epilepsis	Coccoloba (crop)	U.S.A. (SE)
	Petrusa epilepsis	Pentas (crop)	U.S.A. (SE)