The taxonomic status and phytosanitary significance of Blissus leucopterus (Say, 1832)

The article provides critical analysis of the taxonomy, distribution and biology of the serious pest of grain crops included in the Common List of Quarantine Pests of the Eurasian Economic Union – chinch bug Blissus leucopterus (Say, 1832) and related taxa (Blissus leucopterus complex). The ambiguity of the species identity of populations adapted in the west of the European continent is shown (initially identified by the National Plant Protection Organization of Portugal as Blissus insularis Barber, 1918). Possible pathways of the chinch bug and related taxa into the European continent and their further spread are considered. Using mathematical modeling methods based on machine learning (maximum entropy algorithm), models of the ecological niche and potential range of three taxa, generally accepted by most modern authors as Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say, 1832), Blissus leucopterus hirtus Montandon, 1893 and Blissus insularis Barber, 1918 are given. A high probability of adaptation on the territory of the Russian Federation was demonstrated for B. l. leucopterus (primarily in the Southern and southern Volga Federal Districts) and B. l. hirtus (Southern, south of the Central, Volga and Ural Federal Districts), and medium – B. insularis (Krasnodar Krai). The need for further study of the potential negative economic impact of the chinch bug and related taxa is shown in order to justify additional phytosanitary measures to prevent their introduction and spread.

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