Makunde, Privilege TungamiraiSlippers, BernardHurley, Brett Phillip2024-11-272024-11-272024Privilege T. Makunde, Bernard Slippers & Brett P. Hurley (2024): First report of the giant conifer aphid, Cinara pinivora (Wilson) and the Monterey pine aphid, Essigella californica (Essig) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in South Africa, , Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, 86:4, 324-328, DOI: 10.2989/20702620.2024.2394218.2070-2620 (print)2070-2639 (online)10.2989/20702620.2024.2394218http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99426Pine 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.en© 2024 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.CO1Invasive speciesPest surveillancePine aphidsInsect pestsConiferous ecosystemsSDG-15: Life on landArticle