Diario del proyecto Alien to Cyprus Entomofauna

🐞 Invasive non-native species are one of the main drivers of global biodiversity loss. According to the most-recent review published by Demetriou et al. (2023), at least 349 non-native species of insects have been found on the island of Cyprus.

🏡 Most species (70%) have established viable populations on the island but further research is needed to confirm the presence of self-sustained populations for 25% of species. Although the way these species have reached the island is largely unknown, these are presumed to be transported as stowaways and contaminants on food and plants.

🐝 In total, 32 non-native species have been released as biological control agents against pests of potato, citrus and olive crops. However, the efficacy of these releases remains unknown for most species (71%). Further studies on the presence, efficacy and non-target effects of these species would be valuable for assessing their benefits and any impacts on native biodiversity.

⚠️ For almost half of the species (47%) no impacts have been recorded or no research has been conducted. 19 species cause negative impacts on native biodiversity whereas the socioeconomic impacts of 135 alien insects affect agricultural, horticultural, forestry and urban plants as well as stored products and infrastructure. Almost half (48%) of non-native insect species on the island feed on plants. More research on the impacts of non-native insects is needed.

📖 Find our article here: https://tinyurl.com/2fbb8422

Demetriou J, Radea C, Peyton JM, Groom Q, Roques A, Rabitsch W, Seraphides N, Arianoutsou M, Roy HE, Martinou AF (2023) The Alien to Cyprus Entomofauna (ACE) database: a review of the current status of alien insects (Arthropoda, Insecta) including an updated species checklist, discussion on impacts and recommendations for informing management. NeoBiota 83: 11-42. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.83.96823

🦟 Zelus renardii is a polyphagous insect native to North and Central America. It was first reported outside its native range from Greece back in 2011 and has since then become widespread in Europe and the Mediterranean.

🗺️ On the 30th of November 2022 the insect was observed on ornamental plants in Old Strovolos (Nicosia). Since then no further nymphs or adults of Z. renardii were found despite repeated searches. However, an adult individual was spotted in Limassol on February 2023 (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148674689). As such, the species is probably much more spread than previously known.

🍎 The species is speculated to spread by human activity via plant nursery stock or imported fruit.

📖 Find out more about the species here: https://tinyurl.com/69vkan3s

John E, Kolokotronis D (2023) First record of Zelus renardii Kolenati, 1857 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) for Cyprus. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 159: 59–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.31184/M00138908.1591.4177