A dangerous cicada pest from North America has been discovered in Russia for the first time.

For the first time in Russia, the green cone-headed cicada Acanalonia conica has been discovered in the Krasnodar Territory, which can potentially harm grapes and fruit crops. This was announced on August 26 by the press service of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The insect was caught by specialists of the Federal Scientific Center for Biological Plant Protection using a light trap. The species identity was then confirmed by scientists from the Zoological Institute.

"The discovery of Acanalonia conica in the Krasnodar Territory adds to the fauna of cicadas in Russia with the third exotic family registered in this region," TASS quoted Vladimir Gnezdilov, a leading researcher at the institute, as saying.

This species is native to North America. In Europe, it was first recorded in Italy in 2003, after which the cicada spread to Switzerland, Romania, France, Austria and several other countries.

Experts consider Acanalonia conica to be a potential pest of agricultural crops. The insect feeds not only on grapes and fruit plants, but also on cereals, nuts, rosaceae and olive crops. In addition to direct damage, it can pose a danger as a possible carrier of plant diseases.

So far, scientists do not consider the find to be a serious threat to agriculture, since we are talking about single specimens. At the same time, a species new to Russia has no natural enemies here yet, the Zoological Institute clarified.

In the future, insecticides and pheromone traps can be used to control the number of cicadas, if necessary. Now, experts intend first of all to study how successfully this species is able to gain a foothold in Russian ecosystems.

Catching a tick: every third arthropod in Russian forests may be contagious

In some regions of the country, about 40% of ticks are carriers of borreliosis.

On August 5, Rospotrebnadzor warned that the second peak of tick activity is expected in Russia in late August and early September. If a stuck tick is found, the agency recommends carefully removing it with tweezers or a special device, disinfecting the bite site and seeking medical help as soon as possible.