First record and establishment of Takahashia japonica in Europe

The occurrence of the Asiatic string cottony scale Takahashia japonica Cockerell (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Coccidae) in Europe is reported. The string cottony scale was collected on branches of different trees (Acer pseudoplatanus L., Albizia julibrissin Durrazz, Carpinus betulus L., Celtis australis L., Liquidambar styraciflua L. and Morus nigra L.) growing in parks, parking lots and along tree-lined streets located in the provinces of Milano and Varese (Northern Italy).