Increases in invasive alien insects have been staidly recorded via frequent international trades, transports and travels. Total number of alien insects in South Korea are approximately 150 species and invasive alien insects reach about 30 species. Among them, Hemiptera has been known to have severely adverse effects on economic and ecological aspects. To prepare for management measures, we collected basic data such as direct and indirect ecological effects by the insects, their host plants, dispersions, and geographical distributions by observing occurrences in the nature of Lycorma delicatula, Metcalfa pruinosa, Pochazia shantungensis and Salurnis marginellafrom 2010 through 2016.
Results/Conclusions
L. delicatula were first found in mid 2000's and distributed all over Korea except in Jeju province. L. delicatula existed on 27 host plants. Second, M. pruinosa has been newly reported at Seoul and Gyeongnam in 2009, and distributed whole areas of South Korea except in Jeju province. M. pruinosa were collected on 145 host plants. Third, S. marginella has been first known at Jeongeup-city, Jeonbuk in 2013. S. marginella has now expanded out into Southwest and Ulsan City. Fourth, P. shantungensis has been first reported at Gongju-city, Chungnam in 2010. P. shantungensis has now spread out to southern and western inlands of South Korea. P. shantungensis lived on 138 host plants. Taken together, these data suggest that nymphs and adults may result in adverse effects on crop, orchard and woody plants by secreting waxes into fruits, sucking juices and reducing plant assimilation. Outbreak of nymphs and adults may cause serious damages in terms of ecological, agricultural and social aspects because of their rapid spreads and wide host plant ranges.