Nysius cymoides (Spinola) on Chenopodium quinoa Willd. cultivated in Italy

Abstract

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) (Family: Amaranthaceae - APG classification) is an Andean grain recently introduced on the European market and cultivated in experimental fields. In one of these experimental fields, in San Giorgio Piacentino (Italy), a heavy bug infestation was observed. The species was identified as Nysius cymoides (Spinola) (Heteroptera Lygaeidae), a polyphagous species known as a pest of different crops. It occurs in the Mediterranean area from the sea level to the alpine meadows.