THE NORWAY MAPLE APHID- PERIPHYLLUS LYROPICTUS (KESSLER) (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE): A NEW PEST OF ACER PLATANOIDES IN WESTERN ROMANIA

Periphyllus lyropictus (Kessler) was collected for the first time in the green urban landscape of Timisoara, Western Romania. Small colonies with oviparous female and alate males of the Norway maple aphid were recorded on Acer platanoides trees between October and November 2022. This aphid species is also reported for the first time in Romania. The native range of the species includes Europe and Asia. The aim of this paper was to provide information on potential damage to host plants and some morphological characteristics, original images being presented. Some reference data on the biology and distribution are highlighted. Norway maple aphid populations were found in each of the 6 parks and private gardens surveyed and in 115 of the total 180 trees analyzed.