Aganaspis daci, a larval-pupal parasitoid of several tephritid species, was unexpectedly recovered in the Campania region (Southern Italy), where it had not been intentionally released. An integrative approach was used to conduct a comprehensive characterization of this parasitoid, confirming its identification through a comparison with specimens obtained from laboratory rearing. While A. daci emerged from puparia of Ceratitis capitata during this study, its original association was recorded with Bactrocera dorsalis. The presence of A. daci in Italy highlights its successful establishment, possibly facilitated by the recent invasive process of its host, B. dorsalis, offering promising prospects for future tephritids control strategies. It is intriguing to note that the mt-haplotypes found in Italy were only partially shared with those observed in specimens originating from a Spanish rearing, suggesting likely distinct origins for at least part of the Italian population.

Bactrocera dorsalis, the oriental fruit fly (OFF), is a highly polyphagous and multivoltine invasive insect threatening over 600 fruit crop species globally. Originating in Asia, OFF has spread to Africa, Europe, and the United States. This study assessed the current and future potential distribution of OFF in Italy, a likely entry point for its invasion into Europe. Climate and land cover changes projected for 2070 and 2100 were considered. Potential connectivity corridors were identified, and habitat suitability was evaluated within orchards and vineyards. Ecological Niche Models (ENMs) and connectivity analyses revealed a dramatic increase in suitable habitats for OFF under future scenarios. The potential distribution is projected to expand on average by over 1600% under mild conditions and over 7000% under severe conditions, up to 2100. Key environmental factors include mean temperature of the driest quarter, isothermality, precipitation during the driest months, and proximity to forests, urban areas, and roads. Our findings suggest a significant rise in OFF suitability within agricultural areas, particularly vineyards and orchards, posing increased risks to these sectors. Effective management strategies – possibly supported by ecological modelling such as this study – should focus on mass trapping, habitat management, and public awareness to mitigate and contain this pest’s spread. These predictions are based on the working assumption that B. dorsalis is locally acclimatized in inland Campania, southern Italy. Although definitive evidence of establishment is still pending, repeated detections in the same area over four consecutive years support the use of Italian records in risk modelling as an early warning strategy.

Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has rapidly spread, mainly in the central and eastern Mediterranean coastal area, infesting various new host plants alongside known ones. This invasive species poses a significant threat to agricultural ecosystems, necessitating urgent action to monitor and control outbreaks in previously pest-free areas. While entomological and morphological recognitions are crucial for initial detection, challenges often arise in quickly identifying different developmental stages or genus-level distinctions, particularly in surveys conducted by personnel with limited entomological skills. Due to these challenges, a qPCR probe protocol was developed to enhance the diagnostic capacity of laboratories responsible for the territorial control of pests. This biomolecular tool integrates morphological surveys, enabling prompt and reliable proof of A. spiniferus presence in free areas, delimited territories, or during phytosanitary import inspections. The protocol’s high analytical specificity, inclusivity, and exclusivity ensure accurate identification of A. spiniferus, while its low limit of detection and high repeatability and reproducibility reinforce its utility as a standardized diagnostic method. By facilitating prompt and targeted control efforts, this innovative approach strengthens the resilience of agricultural systems against the widespread threat of A. spiniferus infestations.

Global warming and international trade are accelerating biological invasions, making the Mediterranean basin a hotspot for alien arthropods. Two invasive species, the drosophilid Zaprionus tuberculatus and the wax scale Ceroplastes ceriferus, were recently detected in central-southern Italy. Surveys conducted between 2023 and 2024 detected Z. tuberculatus across several sites in Campania and Lazio, and C. ceriferus in Campania. Zaprionus tuberculatus was reared from ten host plants, including three new records, and reached its highest abundance on persimmon. Laboratory assays showed that Z. tuberculatus adults reproduced only on intact fig fruits and blueberry, indicating a limited risk for most crops. Ceroplastes ceriferus was found on four hosts, confirming its polyphagy and establishment in southern Italy. Molecular analyses revealed two COI haplotypes in the Italian populations of both species, while three haplotypes were detected globally in Z. tuberculatus and seven in C. ceriferus. Sequence divergences were moderate, indicating limited but appreciable mitochondrial differentiation among geographic populations. In Z. tuberculatus, the COII haplotype detected in Italy did not match available African sequences, underscoring gaps in reference data and complicating the reconstruction of invasion routes. Despite contrasting ecological traits and dispersal strategies, both species achieved successful establishment in Italy, showing that ecological plasticity and human-mediated transport can offset reduced genetic diversity. These records expand the known European range of both species and highlight the need for coordinated surveillance, genetic monitoring, and preventive measures to limit further introductions in the Mediterranean region.