Alien Insect Impact on Cultural Heritage and Landscape: an Underestimated Problem

The impact of alien invasive insects on cultural heritage and landscapes is very often neglected; even though, more than 50% of species that threaten cultural heritage in Europe are of exotic origin. In addition they are more aggressive. Several examples and a description, are given of the most dangerous alien insects present in heritage sites that constitute a risk for the conservation of cultural property: museum collections, libraries, archives and historic buildings. Globalisation has increased this phenomenon but traces of the accidental introduction of insect pests have occurred since Roman times. The paper discusses the need to implement an estimation of the costs that arise from the damage caused by these species and the lack of specific legislative aspects.L’impatto degli insetti alieni sui beni culturali e sul paesaggio e spesso sottovalutato, sebbene più del 50% delle specie dannose per beni culturali in Europa sono di origine esotica. Si fornisco diversi esempi ed informazioni di queste introduzioni e si illustrano possibili soluzioni anche legislative. Si evidenzia pure documentate notizie che eventi simili si sono manifestati anche in tempi lontani quale il periodo dell’antico romano. Viene discussa la necessità di implementare la stima dei costi dovuti ai danni create da queste specie e la mancanza di aspetti legislative specifici

What does happen when an insect pest follows its host plant and viceversa?

Invasive species are usually well known but only make up a small percentage of the European’s alien plants and insects. The ways these exotic species interact with our natural and cultural heritage are very complex and even some species considered invasive had and could have positive aspects on some European landscape and culture. A close look at the complicated relationship between non-native and native plants and insects in the Mediterranean areas reveals some unexpected twists in the story. Here are some cases of when aliens can threaten our cultural heritage or being part of i

Bacteria, fungi and arthropod pests collected on modern human mummies

A survey of opportunistic biocenosis (macro and micro organisms) associated with a rest of human mummy samples was carried out to characterise the biocenosis and to detect the potential of biodeteriogens. The rests of the human modern mummies come from a hypogeic site. Since mummies are relevant from a historic-artistic-scientific point of view, an aspect of this study was the identification and characterization of the biological systems related with biodeterioration of organic matter. In a first step, different sampling methods, according to the taxa, were applied. Technological procedures were combined in order to have an interdisciplinary approach to the conservation actions for testing future restoration protocols. Specimens were collected, identified and characterized by Microscopy (light, SEM, CLSM) and molecular analyses (DNA extraction, in vitro target sequence amplification, sequencing, sequence analysis). The results highlight a rather complex biocenonsis consisting of fungi, cyanobacteria, several insects and other arthropods

EXOTIC INSECT PESTS: THE IMPACT OF THE RED PALM WEEVIL ON NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE IN PALERMO (ITALY)

The impact of invasive exotic pests is increasingly recognised as a global issue. A global strategy to address the exotic pest problem is beginning to evolve, albeit slowly. The International Plant Protection Convention (FAO) has begun the process of harmonizing standards for pest risk analysis to minimise the spread of exotic pests without adversely impacting global trade. However if the impacts of insect invasive species on human health and on agriculture have attracted worldwide attention, researchers and policymakers address directly the connection between invasive species and damage to natural and cultural heritages. The cost of these losses is generally neglected or underestimated. Various attempts have been made to treat the plants or the wood that affected by invasive species. But studies of the links between these pests and their effects on natural biodiversity and heritage, in botanical and historical gardens, are largely lacking in the literature. This paper examines categories of pest risk threatening the Mediterranean, with special emphasis on the author’s homeland. We report the case of the invasive species Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red Palm Weevil, RPW) recently introduced into Europe. With an interdisciplinary approach, and by focusing on he situation in Sicily, we analyse how the RPW could be considered not only a pest impacting palm trees, but also natural and cultural assets and heritage

REVISIONE PRELIMINARE DELLA BIODIVERSITÀ ENTOMOLOGICA DELL’ISOLA DI LAMPEDUSA (SICILIA - ITALIA) PRELIMINARY REVISION OF ENTOMOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY IN THE LAMPEDUSA ISLAND (SICILY, ITALY)

Lampedusa è un'isola appartenente all'arcipelago delle Pelagie, che è particolarmente interessante per l'aspetto faunistico, in quanto crocevia tra la fauna Europea e Africana. Gli insetti, per la loro abbondanza e diversità in natura, rappresentano una classe nel regno animale particolarmente utile per studiare la biodiversità e i fenomeni di migrazione o emigrazione delle specie, e per valutare inoltre eventuali cambiamenti climatici. Allo stato attuale i dati sull'entomofauna non sono organici e sono riportati in modo spesso frammentario, e la check-list più completa disponibile è datata 1995, quasi venti anni fa. Lo scopo di questo lavoro è stato quello di impiegare nuove tecniche di ricerca, sia bibliografiche che sitografiche, impiegando differenti fonti quali: database e giornali scientifici di rilevanza internazionale, riviste internazionali e locali, banche dati nazionali ed europee, ma anche forum, Facebook ed altre risorse spesso utili per nuove segnalazioni. In questo caso i dati sono stati opportunamente controllati sia contattando direttamente la fonte sia richiedendo altro materiale di supporto. Rispetto alla check-list precedente si sono rilevate circa 71 specie precedentemente non segnalate. Oltre a ciò, si sono potuti analizzare circa 5000 individui catturati con campionamenti bimensili da aprile a maggio 2010, con l'ausilio di trappole Malaise collocate in due differenti e caratteristici habitat di Lampedusa. Si sono registrati in totale 9 ordini di esapodi, di cui 2 ordini (Thysanoptera e Psocoptera) e una sottoclasse (Collembola: Sottoclasse Symphypleona) mai segnalati in precedenza. Dai risultati del presente lavoro si evince l‟elevata biodiversità dell‟isola, nonostante le sue relativamente piccole dimensioni.Lampedusa is an island belonging to the Pelagian archipelago and particularly interesting for the fauna, because a crossroads between the Sothern Europea and Africa. Insects for their abundance and diversity in nature, represent a class in the animal kingdom particularly useful for studying biodiversity, migration or emigration of species, and assess potential climate change. At present the data on insects's biodiversity in Lampedusa are not organic and often fragmentary, and the only complete check-list-list is dated 1995. The purpose of this work was to employ new techniques of research using both traditional bibliographical sources (international, national and local journals) and all available in the Internet from scientifica data base to forum and Facebook. Forums and other resources were often useful for new reports that were always validate before considering in the new checklist. Compared with to the previous checklist we reported 71 new species. In addition, were studied approximately 5000 individuals. The sampling was carried out with Malaise traps bi- monthly rom April to July 2010. We recorded nine orders of hexapods: Orthoptera, Psocoptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera e Hymenoptera, e Collembola. The results of this first experimental analysis have revealed the presence of some taxa not previously reported as Thysanoptera, Psocoptera and Collembola (subclass Symphypleona). The results highlight the high biodiversity of the Lampedusa despite its small size

Systematic review of the effects of chemical insecticides on four common butterfly families

Safeguarding crop productivity by protecting crops from pest attacks entails the wide use of plant protection products that provide a quick, easy and cheap solution. The objective of this study is to understand the effects of insecticides used in agriculture on non-target butterflies, specifically on the families Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Hesperiidae, and Papilionidae. To achieve this goal, a formal systematic review was performed according to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines, by entering a combination of keywords on 3 online databases. Three reviewers independently extracted information on study characteristics and quality. The main results were collected and grouped by the insecticide used, butterflies species and family, and endpoints. The output was valuable but heterogeneous as the endpoints and methodologies of the studies reviewed were different. Few experimental studies on the effects of insecticides on the most common butterfly families have been published. Naled and permethrin are the most commonly used insecticides in the experiments, whilst the target organisms of these studies are Vanessa cardui, Danaus plexippus, Heliconius charitonius, belonging to the Nymphalidae family, and Eumaeus atala, belonging to the Lycaenidae family; the effects were evaluated on all developmental stages, with special attention to the larval phase. This systematic review highlights the need for more studies on the effects of chemical insecticides on non-target Lepidoptera in light of their ecological importance and the extensive use of these chemical products

Seasonal patterns in butterfly abundance and species diversity in five characteristic habitats in Sites of Community Importance in Sicily (Italy)

Sicily (Italy) is one of the richest European regions in animal biodiversity. Butterflies offer good opportunities for studies on biodiversity , population and community ecology. Many species are strictly seasonal, preferring only a particular set of habitats. Five typical Mediterranean habitats: olive grove (conducted following organic farm management), mixed wood, ampelodesmos prairie (with dominance of Ampelodesmos mauritanicus), Mediterranean shrub and shrub at the coastal areas, were monitored for diversity and seasonal patterns in butterfly communities for 2 years. All habitats were inside protected areas indicated as Sites of Community Importance. Butterfly species richness was highest in ampelodesmos prairie and in olive grove. Pieris brassicae, Lasiommata megera, Maniola jurtina, Pararge aegeria have been reported in all habitats, although with different abundance whilst other species were observed only in one particular habitat. Melanargia pherusa, endemic species, and Hipparchia statil-inus, listed in the IUCN Red List, respectively as " Least Concern " and " Near Threatened " , were observed in the ampelodesmos prairie. The morphotype Coenonympha pamphilus f. lyllus was reported in olive grove and ampelodesmos prairie. The majority of species showed abundance peaks in June and July, however many species showed a longer flight period than reported in literature with detection of specimens until November or December. The analysis of the similarity of communities among habitats shows a similarity between ampelodesmos prairie and olive grove and between Mediterranean shrub and Mediterranean shrub at the coastal areas, while the butterfly community in mixed wood is substantially different. The results of several diversity indexes suggest that ampelodesmos prairie has an important ecological role, as it supports butterfly abundance and species diversity

IMPOVERISHMENT OF SICILIAN (ITALY) HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ASSETS BY AN ALIEN INSECT SPECIES: THE CASE OF THE RED PALM WEEVIL.

Alien invasive species (IAS) have a disastrous impact on the biodiversity, cultural heritage and economy of a geographic area. The case of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), an IAS that attacks the non-native palm species Phoenix canariensis, but also native species Chaemerops humilis, especially in urban and peri-urban areas, is reported. These palm trees have played an important role in Sicilian history and cultural heritage since the period of the Arab invasion. The accidental introduction of the RPW has remarkably changed the Sicilian panorama. In this study the chronology and the severity of the effects of RPW on palms so far detected, is reported. In only 7 years the RPW has drastically changed the aesthetic value and perception of the natural and cultural heritage in Sicily. Results suggest that the Precautionary Principle should be applied when IAS may impact on natural and cultural heritage

Essential Oils as Nematicides in Plant Protection-A Review

By 2030, the European Commission intends to halve chemical pesticide use and its consequent risks. Among pesticides, nematicides are chemical agents used to control parasitic roundworms in agriculture. In recent decades, researchers have been looking for more sustainable alternatives with the same effectiveness but a limited impact on the environment and ecosystems. Essential oils (EOs) are similar bioactive compounds and potential substitutes. Different studies on the use of EOs as nematicides are available in the Scopus database in the scientific literature. These works show a wider exploration of EO effects in vitro than in vivo on different nematode populations. Nevertheless, a review of which EOs have been used on different target nematodes, and how, is still not available. The aim of this paper is to explore the extent of EO testing on nematodes and which of them have nematicidal effects (e.g., mortality, effects on motility, inhibition of egg production). Particularly, the review aims to identify which EOs have been used the most, on which nematodes, and which formulations have been applied. This study provides an overview of the available reports and data to date, downloaded from Scopus, through (a) network maps created by VOSviewer software (version 1.6.8, Nees Jan van Eck and Ludo Waltman, Leiden, The Netherlands) and (b) a systematic analysis of all scientific papers. VOSviewer created maps with keywords derived from co-occurrence analysis to understand the main keywords used and the countries and journals which have published most on the topic, while the systematic analysis investigated all the documents downloaded. The main goal is to offer a comprehensive understanding of the potential use of EOs in agriculture as well as which directions future research should move toward

Comparison of the immune response of Galleria mellonella and Rhynchophorus ferrugineus after infection with the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier 1790) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a pest of palm trees, and Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a pest of beehives, were used as models to deepen our understanding of the host-entomopathogenic nematode relationship. The effects of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) on the immune activity of R. ferrugineus and G. mellonella larvae were compared. The ability to complete the life cycle of S. carpocapsae in the two insects was also evaluated. Although S. carpocapsae is effective in the biological control of the red weevil, it is not able to complete its cycle within the host, whereas the same nematode successfully reproduces in G. mellonella. On the basis of previous laboratory data and a systematic literature review, the nematode-induced effects on the immune response of the Coleoptera and the Lepidoptera were compared. In particular, the immunocompetent haemocyte population (number and cell types), the activity of the prophenoloxidase- phenoloxidase system (proPO) and finally the inhibition and proliferation of the Gram-negative symbiont bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila (Enterobacteraceae) were analysed