First records of the rhododendron leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi) (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) from the Czech Republic

Abstract

In summer and autumn of 2004 the cicadellid leafhopper species Graphocephala fennahi was detected in the Czech Republic for the first time as a new alien insect species feeding on Rhododendron. The species is native to North America and was introduced in the 1930's to Great Britain and in the 1970's to continental Europe, where its invasion and relationship to the rhododendron bud blast disease have been studied in detail. At present, the Czech populations of G. fennahi appear to be restricted to the Prague city area and near surroundings, but further spread of G. fennahi can be expected.

Keywords

• homoptera
• insect invasions
• ornamental horticulture
• plant-animal interactions