Bug on Planes
We are working on a new bug that has suddenly appeared on London Plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia) in Cape Town.
Since we are very interested in seeing how far it has spread in SA, I wondered if you would consider hosting it on Ispot.
In 2013 an invasive lacebug (Sycamore Lacebug, Corythucha ciliaris) was recorded from the underside of London plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia) in Cape Town. The small bugs live in colonies under plane tree leaves, and cause ‘bronzing’ of parts of the leaf. This is the first record of this invasive species in Africa.
Professors Mike Picker and Charles Griffiths are currently studying this invasion, and would be very interested in additional records of this species. If you do notice colonies of these bugs on plane trees in your area, please post your images on Ispot and the identifications will be confirmed.
Alternatively write with images to Professor Mike Picker : [email protected]