Andrei Teodoru’s scientific contributions

The paper reports the rediscovery of the aphid Periphyllus lyropictus on the Norway maple Acer platanoides in northern part of Bucharest (Băneasa area) in southern Romania, after more than 50 years from the first record of the species in this zone. Aphid colonies varying in size, consisting of apterous forms in various instars, and mixed colonies of wingless and winged morphs were recorded on the lower and upper sides of the Norway maple leaves throughout the season. Parasitized aphids were observed in autumn. Parasitoid specimens emerged by rearing in the laboratory were assigned to the genus Trioxys. We consider that P. lyropictus is widespread in the country, mainly in association with the Norway maple, and assume that it went unnoticed for a long period after the 70s.

Abstract: The invasive species Coptodisca lucifluella, also called the walnut shield bearer is recorded for the first time in Romania in this report. It is a leaf miner of North American origin, having been discovered for the first time in Europe (Italy) in 2010. Since then it has been confirmed in other three European countries, Hungary (2017), Ukraine (2019) and Bulgaria (2020), and now in Romania. In its native habitats, the species is known to be specialized on woody plants from the family Juglandaceae, genus Carya, in particular the pecan nut tree, Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch. In the newly occupied territories in Europe, the moth was reported mainly on Juglans spp., especially J. regia (L.) (with very few instances on J. nigra (L.), Carya spp. and Pterocarya spp.). In August 2022, leaves of common walnut (J. regia) with mines of C. lucifluella were collected in Southern Romania (Bucharest, Ilfov and Giurgiu Counties) and Western Romania (Arad County). The walnuts were located in cities, rural areas, alongside roads and spontaneously grown in vineyards, at altitudes from 60 to 200 m a.s.l.