Latest Articles from NeoBiota Latest 7 Articles from NeoBiota https://neobiota.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 01:06:27 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://neobiota.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from NeoBiota https://neobiota.pensoft.net/ Worldwide distribution and phylogeography of the agave weevil Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae): the rise of an overlooked invasion https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/101797/ NeoBiota 90: 53-78

DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.90.101797

Authors: Andrea Viviano, Arturo Cocco, Paolo Colangelo, Giuseppe Marco Delitala, Roberto Antonio Pantaleoni, Laura Loru

Abstract: Global plant trade represents one of the main pathways of introduction for invertebrates, including insects, throughout the world. Non-native insects include some of the most important pests affecting cultivated and ornamental plants worldwide. Defining the origins and updating the distribution of non-native invasive species is pivotal to develop effective strategies to limit their spread. The agave weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae), is a curculionid beetle native to Central and North America, although it also occurs in Eurasia, Africa, Oceania and South America as a non-native species. Despite being widespread, the extent of occurrence and origins of European populations of the agave weevil have been overlooked. In the present study, the current and potential worldwide distribution of S. acupunctatus was assessed and an analysis of its genetic diversity in the native and non-native ranges was performed. By analysing occurrences from local phytosanitary bulletins and citizen-science platforms, the agave weevil was confirmed to be widely distributed and to occur on all continents, except Antarctica. Additionally, there is potential for expansion throughout the world, as estimated by species distribution models. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity of the COXI mitochondrial gene (about 650 bp) was lower in the non-native (n = 39 samples) than native populations (n = 26 samples). The majority of introduced individuals belonged to the same haplotype, suggesting that most introductions in Europe might have occurred from a small geographical area in Central America. Constant transboundary monitoring and national laws must be considered to reduce the spread of the agave weevil, given that a bridgehead effect may occur from non-native populations to new suitable areas.

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Research Article Tue, 9 Jan 2024 14:23:14 +0200
High abundance but low diversity of floral visitors on invasive Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae) https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/100625/ NeoBiota 86: 193-207

DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.86.100625

Authors: Petr Bogusch, Terezie Vojtová, Jiří Hadrava

Abstract: Currently, plant invasions affect native ecosystems across the Earth. Although much attention has already been paid to their effect on local communities, we still lack basic information on the associations between alien and local species. Here, we present the results of our survey of pollinators of the invasive plant Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae) in central Europe. At 20 sites within the westernmost part of the Czech Republic, which is strongly affected by the invasion of H. mantegazzianum, pollinators on the flowers of H. mantegazzianum were examined and compared to the species composition of pollinators on native vegetation in the surrounding area. While the flowers of H. mantegazzianum were frequently visited by high abundance of insects, the communities of H. mantegazzianum pollinators were relatively species poor, and the proportion of abundances of H. mantegazzianum pollinators was very uneven, with few species of generalist Diptera and the honey bee (Apis mellifera) dominating over all other flower visitors. Significantly larger species of the family Syrphidae visited flowers of giant hogweed than of other plants. Thus, giant hogweed is not a necessary part of flower communities for flower visiting insects, and it should be eradicated because of its negative effects on other plants, landscape and humans. Our results highlight the need for more detailed studies on direct interactions between alien plant species and native pollinator communities as well as indirect interactions between alien plants and native plants through competition for pollinators.

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Research Article Thu, 3 Aug 2023 18:00:13 +0300
Jewels on the go: exotic buprestids around the world (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/90829/ NeoBiota 84: 107-135

DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.84.90829

Authors: Enrico Ruzzier, Robert A. Haack, Gianfranco Curletti, Alain Roques, Mark G. Volkovitsh, Andrea Battisti

Abstract: Buprestidae (Coleoptera: Buprestoidea) is one of the three wood-borer beetle groups of major phytosanitary interest worldwide, together with Cerambycidae and Scolytinae (Curculionidae). As in other beetle families, some buprestid species have been unintentionally or intentionally introduced around the world, in some cases causing significant environmental and economic damage in the invaded territories. Despite the phytosanitary relevance of the Buprestidae, information regarding the identity of exotic buprestids, their biogeographic areas of origin, introduction pathways, and larval host plants, have remained scattered in the literature. Our objective was to summarize much of the existing knowledge on these topics in the present paper. Our analysis resulted in a list of 115 exotic buprestids worldwide, representing introductions both within and between biogeographic realms and corresponding to less than 1% of the known buprestid species worldwide. Invasiveness does not seem to be linked to their larval host plant preferences, as introduced species utilize 158 plant genera in 70 plant families and are equally represented in all feeding guilds (monophagous, oligophagous, and polyphagous). As trade of plants or plant parts can serve as a pathway for future introductions, the information reported in this review can help in pest risk assessment.

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Research Article Thu, 18 May 2023 18:00:06 +0300
Cosmopolitan Scolytinae: strong common drivers, but too many singularities for accurate prediction https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/89826/ NeoBiota 84: 81-105

DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.84.89826

Authors: Jean-Claude Grégoire, Hervé Jactel, Jiri Hulcr, Andrea Battisti, Daegan Inward, Françoise Petter, Fabienne Grousset

Abstract: Many scolytine beetle species have been expanding in new territories, travelling with wood and plants for planting, sometimes with a high impact on plant health. Here, we attempt to quantify the mobility of these species and to identify the biological drivers of mobility and impact. Mobility was estimated by counting the numbers of landmasses (contiguous pieces of land, surrounded by ocean or sea) colonised by each species. A series of potential drivers (taxonomic tribes; feeding regimes; polyphagy; reproductive strategy; host taxa; aggregation pheromones and long-range primary attractants), as well as impact on host health were recorded. A total of 163 species were identified, out of 5546 counted in the whole subfamily. The cosmopolitan taxa amongst the subfamily showed significant disharmony with regards to invasion frequency. Four tribes (Xyleborini; Ipini; Crypturgini; Hylastini) were significantly over-represented and two others (Corthylini; Hexacolini) were under-represented. Some 53% of the 163 species are inbreeding, a very significant excess as compared to the whole subfamily (29%). The inbreeders colonised more landmasses than the outbreeders. There is a significant relationship between the number of host families attacked by a species and the number of colonised landmasses. Most of the invasive species are recorded to respond to long-range host primary attractants, only one quarter respond to pheromones. All very mobile species respond to long-range primary attractants and none is known to respond to pheromones. Very mobile species are all associated with a substantial or moderate impact. The most mobile species belong to a limited number of subtribes. They are often inbreeding, polyphagous and respond to long-range primary attractants, but do not produce pheromones. However, there are many counter-examples. The outbreeding Scolytus multistriatus attacks only three host families, producing aggregation pheromones and has established in thirteen landmasses, with a high impact. Due to these many exceptions, species-based risk prediction relying on the few traits routinely analysed in literature suffers from important uncertainties.

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Research Article Thu, 18 May 2023 18:00:05 +0300
Mate choice errors may contribute to slow spread of an invasive Eurasian longhorn beetle in North America https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/72843/ NeoBiota 71: 71-89

DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.71.72843

Authors: Jennifer L. Anderson, Stephen B. Heard, Jon Sweeney, Deepa S. Pureswaran

Abstract: Tetropium fuscum (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a Eurasian longhorn beetle and forest pest that first became invasive to Nova Scotia, Canada around 1990. In the time since its introduction, T. fuscum has spread only about 150 km from its point of introduction. In its invasive range, T. fuscum co-exists with its congener Tetropium cinnamopterum. Although they are ecologically similar species, T. fuscum tends to infest healthier trees and has a smaller host range than T. cinnamopterum. If they successfully interbreed, this could lead to hybrid individuals that are more problematic than either parent species. On the other hand, if T. fuscum can make mating errors in the field, but is not producing hybrid offspring, then this waste of mating resources could help explain the slow spread of T. fuscum in North America. We conducted no-choice and choice mating experiments between T. fuscum and T. cinnamopterum males and females and determined that both T. fuscum and T. cinnamopterum males make mate-choice errors with heterospecific females in a laboratory setting. Our results suggest that mating errors may play a role in the slow spread of T. fuscum in North America.

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Research Article Tue, 25 Jan 2022 10:46:46 +0200
Establishment and new hosts of the non-native seed beetle Stator limbatus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) on acacias in Europe https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/70441/ NeoBiota 70: 167-192

DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.70.70441

Authors: Arturo Cocco, Giuseppe Brundu, Cyril Berquier, Marie Cécile Andreï-Ruiz, Michelina Pusceddu, Marco Porceddu, Lina Podda, Alberto Satta, Yohan Petit, Ignazio Floris

Abstract: Stator limbatus is a phytophagous beetle native to warm regions of North and Central America, feeding on Fabaceae seeds and one of the most polyphagous species within the subfamily Bruchinae, here reported for the first time in Europe and on new hosts. Adult beetles emerged from Acacia spp. seeds collected in the islands of Corsica (France), and Sardinia (Italy). The wide presence in Sardinia and Corsica supports the hypothesis that this alien species was introduced several years ago. In both islands, S. limbatus emerged from Acacia mearnsii seeds, with infestation rates of up to 74.2 and 90.8% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. This seed beetle also emerged from two previously unreported host species, Acacia saligna and A. pycnantha, showing highest infestation rates of 4.0 and 95.1%, respectively. Both Acacia species are reported as new host associations with S. limbatus. Overall, seed infestation rates recorded in 2019 and 2020 indicate that S. limbatus is well established and that Mediterranean bioclimatic conditions are suitable for its population increase in size. This study lays the foundations for further research on known and potential host species and the spread and distribution of S. limbatus in Europe.

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Research Article Fri, 17 Dec 2021 15:02:16 +0200
Trade patterns of the tree nursery industry in Europe and changes following findings of citrus longhorn beetle, Anoplophora chinensis Forster https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/5721/ NeoBiota 26: 1-20

DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.26.8947

Authors: René Eschen, Jean-Claude Grégoire, Geerten M. Hengeveld, Bram M. de Hoop, Ludovic Rigaux, Roel P. J. Potting

Abstract: The trade in plants for planting is a major pathway for the introduction and further spread of alien plants, pests and diseases. Information about the structure of plant trade networks is not generally available, but it is valuable for better assessing the potential risks associated with the trade in live plants and the development of prevention and mitigation measures and policy. The discovery of two larvae of Anoplophora chinensis (citrus longhorn beetle – CLB) in 2009, at a nursery importing Acer palmatum from China in one of the major Dutch tree nursery areas, has resulted in the creation of a detailed dataset on the intra-European Union trade in its potential hosts. This study describes European imports of the primary host of A. chinensis, Acer spp., into the Netherlands (1998-2012) and the effects of the finding in a tree nursery area. In addition, shipments of Acer spp. from 138 producers in the nursery area in 2009 were analysed in a one-off analysis of intra-EU trade. The volume of Acer spp. imports from Asia was stable early during the studied period, and declined to 5% of the initial imports after a period of interceptions, illustrating the effect of regulations. The number of notifications of A. chinensis infestations in imported consignments of Acer spp. increased sharply in the years up to 2007, then declined as imports also reduced. Although plants were shipped to destinations throughout Europe, each producer shipped plants only to few destinations in few countries. Most of the plants were shipped to nurseries in EU countries. These patterns could make it easier to target these high risk destinations for control measures. The lack of transaction records makes it difficult to trace the destination of plants. More systematic electronic record keeping by traders and growers and the data being collated in a database that can be made available to regulatory authorities, together with further studies of plant trade data using network approaches, would be beneficial for improving trace-back and trace-forward and provide better safeguards for plant health and quality.

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Research Article Thu, 23 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0300