Abstract:
Pine aphids represent a significant group of insect pests in coniferous ecosystems worldwide. To assess pine aphid
prevalence and potentially new introductions in South Africa, aphid samples from various pine-growing regions were
collected through national surveys conducted by the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) and directly
sent from landowners to the FABI Diagnostic Clinic. Morphological examination and DNA barcoding confirmed two
previously unreported aphid species as Cinara pinivora and Essigella californica. To our knowledge, this is the first
report of these North American native aphids in South Africa. This study provides an important reference for future
research aimed at safeguarding South Africa’s pine plantations against emerging threats from invasive aphid species.
