Diario del proyecto Alien to Cyprus Entomofauna

🐜 The little fire ant 𝘞𝘢𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘢 is recorded for the first time in Cyprus.
⚠️ The species is considered as one of the world's worst invasive alien species and has been included in the list of alien invasive species of EU concern.
🆘 Among its adverse impacts the little fire ant is known to compete with and exclude native arthropods from invaded areas. In addition, it can affect animal- and human-health causing anaphylactic shocks to any allergic people it stings.
🌱The species is presumably dispersed through the import and planting of ornamental plants.

📖 Find our recent publication here: https://tinyurl.com/2wdc6kxh

Demetriou J, Georgiadis C, Roy H, Martinou A, Borowiec L, Salata S (2022) One of the world’s worst invasive alien species Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) detected in Cyprus. Sociobiology 69(4): e8536. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v69i4.8536

🌳Eucalyptus trees of more than a dozen different species have been imported to Cyprus since the 1880s. Up-to-date, these species have been planted as ornamental in urban, rural, agricultural and natural habitats throughout the island. This has led to the inevitable unintentional introduction and establishment of numerous alien insects.

🐝A survey in Cyprus has uncovered a total of six alien wasp species, belonging to the diverse superfamily of wasps Chalcidoidea. In particular, new records for this country/island concern two wasps creating galls on Eucalyptus leaves and stems, Leptocybe invasa and Ophelimus maskelli as well as their parasitoids Closterocerus chamaeleon and Stethynium ophelimi (for O. maskelli), and Megastigmus lawsoni (for L. invasa). In addition, the previously recorded wasp Psyllaephagus bliteus, was reared from lerps of its known host Glycaspis brimblecombei.

🆘These wasp species are tiny, associated only with Eucalyptus trees and are not predicted to cause harm to native biodiversity. However, in neighboring Israel clouds of wasps have been reported as a public nuisance in heavily infested urban areas, e.g. schools. What is more, their excessive numbers in agricultural areas have been also associated with the reduced market value of selected crops such as lettuce. Such impacts should be further investigated on the island.

📖Find our article here: https://tinyurl.com/yybjnz49

Demetriou J, Koutsoukos E, Radea C, Roy HE, Arianoutsou M, Martinou AF (2022) Uninvited pests of an unwelcomed tree: a survey on alien chalcidoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) associated with Eucalyptus trees in Cyprus. BioInvasions Records 11(2): 390–400. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2022.11.2.12

🦟Trichopoda pictipennis belongs to the fly family Tachinidae and originates from North America. Although first identified as Trichopoda pennipes in Italy, the genus was later revised by Dios et al. (2021). The species has managed to spread across Europe and throughout its invaded range it parasitizes the Southern Stink Bug Nezara viridula.

🗺️On August 26 2019, a female individual was found near Lasa village(Paphos) in Cyprus. Upon further investigation, another record was obtained by Mr Ch. Makris from Alassa dam (Limassol).

📖Read more about the species here: https://tinyurl.com/3zvbvf9j

Dios RVP, Ziegler J, Zeegers T (2021) The American genus Trichopoda (Diptera: Tachinidae) in Europe – decades of a misidentified invasive species. Contributions to Entomology 71(2): 221-225. http://dx.doi.org/10.21248/contrib.entomol.71.2.221-225

Kazilas C, Demetriou J, Kalaentzis K (2020) Filling the gaps in the distribution of an alien species: The case of Trichopoda pennipes (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the Western Palearctic. Entomologia Hellenica 29(1): 8-16. https://doi.org/10.12681/eh.21774

🦟 The Black Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens originates from North America and has been deliberately or unintentionally introduced around the globe.

🐄 It is considered an important bioconverter (reducing organic matter) and has been cultivated in insect farming for the production of animal feed. In Europe, H. illucens has been released in nature as a biological agent against the house fly in stables and farms.

🗺️ Citizen-scientists and scientists first observed this alien fly in Cyprus in 2019. Up-to-date, the species has been seen only in Limassol but is expected to gradually become widespread on the island.

🆘 No negative impacts are known but further research is necessary to evaluate any adverse effects on invertebrates facilitating the decomposition of organic matter.

📖 For further information read our publication here: https://tinyurl.com/y4yvv5cu

Demetriou J, Kalaentzis K, Kazilas C, Kunz G, Muller B, Mostovski MB, Koutsoukos E (2022) An “alien” species on the loose: new records and updated distribution of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens in the Western Palearctic. Bulletin of Insectology 75(1): 125-130.

🌳 Eucalyptus trees have been planted across the island of Cyprus for the last one and a half centuries. As a result, they can be found in both in urban and agricultural land as well as protected areas. A number of alien insects associated with eucalypts have managed to reach the island alongside their tree host.

🦗 Hitchhikers include six alien Australian psyllids. In particular, Blastopsylla ccidentalis, Ctenarytaina eucalypti, Ctenarytaina peregrina, Ctenarytaina spatulata, Glycaspis brimblecombei and Platyobria biemani (Spodek et al. 2015).

🆘 Out of these species, three have been detected in Cyprus. Glycaspis brimblecombei has been found to cause negative socioeconomic impacts in Cyprus, mostly by undermining the aesthetics of nature and that of the urban landscape, causing discolouration and shedding of Eucalyptus foliage but also excreting sticky honey-dew which can stain clothing. Regarding Blastopsylla ccidentalis and Platyobria biemani, it is likely that these constitute minor pests of Eucalyptus species, with infested trees being subjected to small-scale, local infestations.

📖 For more information read the publications below:
https://tinyurl.com/wn7d3hhf
https://tinyurl.com/57jfznvf

Demetriou J, Koutsoukos E, Davranoglou L-R, Roy HE, Spodek M, Martinou AF (2022) First records of the alien Eucalyptus psyllids Blastopsylla occidentalis (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) from Cyprus and Platyobria biemani (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) from Cyprus and continental Greece. Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa” 65(1): 25–36. https://doi.org/10.3897/travaux.64.e82873

Spodek M, Burckhardt D, Protasov A, Mendel Z (2015) First record of two invasive eucalypt psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) in Israel. Phytoparasitica 43(3): 401–406. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-015-0465-2

🗺️ Native to North America, the seed-beetle Stator limbatus has been unintentionally introduced to Europe and the Middle East, currently known from Sardinia and Corsica in Western Europe as well as Iran, Oman, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East.

🌱 Immature stages of Stator limbatus develop in seeds of plants of the family Fabaceae such as species in the genera Acacia, Albizia, Cassia, Cercidium, Delonix, Leucaena, Pithecellobium and Senegalia.

🆘 The species was collected in Cyprus during 2021 and 2022 from Paphos and Akrotiri UK SBA. No negative impacts were observed although the species could have negative socioeconomic effects, affecting ornamental tree species.

📖 Read more about Stator limbatus below:
https://tinyurl.com/2p8654sp
https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/70441/

Cocco A, Brundu G, Berquier C, Andreï-Ruiz MC, Pusceddu M, Porceddu M, Podda L, Satta A, Petit Y, Floris I (2021) Establishment and new hosts of the non-native seed beetle Stator limbatus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) on acacias in Europe. NeoBiota 70: 167–192. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.70.70441

Demetriou J, Kakiopoulos G, Háva J, Martinou AF, Delobel A (2022) First record of the alien seed beetle Stator limbatus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) from Cyprus. Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa” 65(1): 37–43. https://doi.org/10.3897/travaux.64.e81350

🗺️ Native to North America, the turf-grass beetle Sphenophorus placidus vestitus has been accidentally transported outside its native range, reaching Eastern countries such as Iraq, Japan, Korea and
Qatar and in the Mediterrnanean, France (including Corsica), Greece, Morocco, Spain (including Canary Islands).

🐞 A single specimen was collected alive in Protaras, Ammochostos (Cyprus) by Mr Erodotos Kakouris within 10-20 m from the coast, on the surface of the sea. The specimen was identified by Mr Chistodoulos Makris and confirmed by Mr George Kakiopoulos. This constitutes the first report of S. placidus vestitus from the island.

⛳ As Protaras is a famous touristic resort situated along the coastline which maintains open areas covered by imported turf-grass, the specimen most probably originated from the coast of Protaras. As the main introduction pathway for the species has been related to the import of turf-grasses, an accidental introduction to the island via imported turf-grasses is hypothesized.

🆘 Sphenophorus placidus vestitus has been identified as a major pest of turf-grasses in both its native range and invaded countries, commonly found in golf courses and orchardgrass. The distribution of the species within Cyprus, the presence of established populations and any adverse economic impact on the island are currently unknown.

📖 Read more about the species here:
https://tinyurl.com/23tbbk4j

Kakouris E, Makris C, Demetriou J (2022) First record of Sphenophorus placidus vestitus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae) in Cyprus. Hellenic Plant Protection Journal 15(2): 72-75. https://doi.org/10.2478/hppj-2022-0008

🗺️ Native to North America, Ozognathus cornutus has managed to spread in Europe and the Mediterranean reaching France, Germany, Gibraltar, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Portugal (Madeira), Spain (including Canary Islands), Switzerland, Tunisia and the United Kingdom.

🏕️ During entomological field surveys individuals of Ozognathus cornutus were collected on Eucalyptus trees. The ecology of O. cornutus is still rather unknown and the species has been recorded at a wide range of habitats including agricultural, coastal, urban and woodland areas.

🌱It is regarded as polyphagous, being associated with 38 different host plants. The beetle has been regarded as saproxylophagous, feeding on decaying plant tissues such as dried fruit and woodborers’ faeces in galleries as well as inhabiting galls of various insects.

📖 Read more about the species below: https://tinyurl.com/4a472ere

Demetriou J, Kakiopoulos G, Martinou AF (2022) First record of the Nearctic Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Anobiinae) in Cyprus. Hellenic Plant Protection Journal 15(2): 76-79. https://doi.org/10.2478/hppj-2022-0009

🗺️ Despite its name, the species is not native to America! In its description, Linnaeus mistakenly assumed the specimen had been collected from America. The native range of the Rosemary beetle includes Mediterranean countries, (e.g. Albania, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Serbia, Macedonia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey), although after 1936 it spread to many northern European countries (e.g. Belgium, United Kingdom, Austria, Netherlands, Latvia and Germany), as well as to Israel and recently Cyprus.

🐞 Chrysolina americana feeds on the leaves of plants in the family Lamiaceae, such as rosemary, lavender, thyme, sage and others. Some of these plants are commonly planted in house gardens and public spaces as well as cultivated commercially for cooking and as cosmetic aromatic ingredients. The rosemary beetle can cause damage to the foliage of these plants, and in cases where the beetle is abundant, it can cause negative economic consequences as it damages usable leaves, thereby reducing the harvested yields.

🌿From 2015 to 2020, multiple excursions and searched on social media were undertaken across the Island of Cyprus to locate C. americana. The species was recorded at all municipalities of Cyprus and in five host plants: Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula angustifolia, Salvia fruticosa and Salvia officinalis. From the recorded host plants, Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas and Salvia fruticosa are native to Cyprus.

🆘 According to Hadjiconstantis and Zoumidis (2021), "the species can cause minor damage on the foliage of its host plants. Significant damage to the host plants has been reported only on a few urban locations and, in particular, at house gardens; these are cases where C. americana is abundant and has completely damaged the plant’s foliage. This behaviour could be linked to areas with well-maintained gardens, for example, in the absence of natural predators, the beetle can thrive and can potentially cause significant damage. At the moment, no such extreme case has been reported in commercial cultivations or protected areas, yet this behaviour of the species may cause significant problems to farmers in the near future".

📖 Read more about the species here: https://tinyurl.com/ydnc6wuf

Hadjiconstantis M, Zoumidis C (2021) First records of the pest leaf beetle Chrysolina (Chrysolinopsis) americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in Cyprus - a study initiated from social media. Biodiversity Data Journal 9(2): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.9.e61349

🗺️ The broad-headed bug Nemausus sordidatus is distributed mainly across Africa and the Near East, known only from southern Spain, Portugal and Sicily in Europe. Whether this species is native or alien in Europe remains undetermined, although according to Davranoglou et al. (2021) it probably it has been probably introduced to Europe since (1) its host-plants Acacias are not native to the region, (2) individulas are found in man-made habitats and (3) all European records are quite recent.

🌳 Nemausus sordidatus prefers arid habitats, where it feeds on several Acacia species, such as Acacia saligna in southern Europe. This Acacia species is frequently cultivated as an ornamental plant and has become invasive in both disturbed and natural habitats. One female individual was collected from a house wall by Mr C. Makris. After 5 years, J. Demetriou reared sprecimens from Valchellia farnessiana close to the initial locality of collection, uncovering the species' host plant in Cyprus (Demetriou unpubl.).

📖 Find out more about the species here: https://tinyurl.com/yeyn4u44

Davranoglou L-R, Cheiladakis N, Makris C (2021) First record of the broad-headed bug Nemausus sordidatus(Stål, 1858) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Alydidae) from Greece and Cyprus. Israel Journal of Entomology 51: 1-6. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4661939