Is the ‘Réunion’ planthopper <i>Euroxenus vayssieresi</i> (Hemiptera: Issidae) a new emerging invasive pest species spreading across the tropics?

Abstract Biosecurity is increasingly challenged by emerging horticultural pest insects, coupled with increasing pathways for incursions. The so‐called ‘Réunion’ planthopper, Euroxenus vayssieresi (Hemiptera: Issidae) appears to be a new emerging invasive horticultural pest species that is spreading across tropical regions around the world. Its true origins, pathways, hosts and impacts on plants are largely unreported. Here we report the first two detections of E. vayssieresi within the Australian region, in tropical locations over 1600 km apart, suggesting rapid long‐distance human‐mediated movement. Additionally, we provide the first global account of the horticultural impacts of the planthopper. We model the climatic suitability for the planthopper across the world, highlighting where this pest is most likely to establish if introduced. Silent or cryptic invasions by poorly detected, but rapidly expanding invertebrate species such as the Réunion planthopper represent ongoing challenges for biosecurity monitoring, emphasizing the importance of both sufficient surveillance to detect such cryptic pest species, and taxonomic resources capable of facilitating early detections of cryptic invasions.