Ground spiders (Chelicerata, Araneae) of an urban green space: intensive sampling in a protected area of Rome (Italy) reveals a high diversity and new records to the Italian territory.

Background: Urbanisation is a rapidly growing global phenomenon leading to habitat destruction, fragmentation and degradation. However, urban areas can offer opportunities for conservation, particularly through the presence of green spaces which can even provide important habitats for imperilled species. Spiders, which play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning, include many species that can successfully exploit urban environments. Placed in the middle of the Mediterranean global biodiversity hotspot, Italy possesses an exceptionally rich spider fauna, yet comprehensive data on urban spider communities are still limited. More information on urban spiders in Italy would be extremely beneficial to support conservation efforts, especially in central and southern Italy, where knowledge on the spider fauna is largely incomplete. New information: The current study focused on the spider diversity of a large protected area (Appia Antica Regional Park) in urban Rome, Italy. A total of 120 spider species belonging to 83 genera and 28 families were identified, with 70 species being new records to the Province of Rome, 39 to the Latium Region and two (Pelecopsisdigitulus Bosmans & Abrous, 1992 and Palliduphantesarenicola (Denis, 1964)) to Italy.Forty-one species were recorded during autumn/winter sampling and 107 in spring/summer. The spider fauna recorded from the study area included about 37% of the total spider fauna known from the Province of Rome, 28% of that of the Latium Region and 7% of the entire Italian territory. The most represented families in terms of species richness were Gnaphosidae and Linyphiidae, which accounted for more than 40% of the sampled fauna. Lycosidae were the most abundant family (29% of captured individuals), followed by Zodariidae (16% of captured individuals), Linyphiidae (13% of captured individuals) and Gnaphosidae (7.5% of captured individuals). From a biogeographical point of view, most of the collected species belonged to chorotypes that extend for large areas across Europe and the Mediterranean. The research highlights the role of urban green spaces as refuges for spiders and the importance of arachnological research in urban areas as sources of information on spider biodiversity at larger scales.

The Buprestidae (Coleoptera, Buprestoidea) of the Tuscan Archipelago (Italy).

Background: Buprestidae is a group of beetles of important conservation and phytosanitary value that is poorly studied in the Tuscan Archipelago and the limited faunistic knowledge available refers to a few scant historical records. New information: The present contribution increments the species documented in the Archipelago from 27 to 51, providing more than 300 georeferenced occurrence records, derived from both direct field research and citizen science via iNaturalist. Of particular importance is the discovery of Eurythyreaquercus on Isola d'Elba, an uncommon and localised species currently critically endangered.

The first host plant dataset of Curculionidae Scolytinae of the world: miscellaneous Tribes.

Tribes Coriacephilini, Corthylini, Cryphalini, Ernoporini, Trypophloeini, Xyloctonini, and Xyloterini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; Scolytinae) include spermophagous, phloeophagous, and xylomycetophagous species. Besides direct damage caused by burrowing into host plant tissues, some species are vectors of aggressive pathogens causing plant dieback and death, with consequent economic and ecological relevance. The international trade in plants and wood products is one of the main pathways for the introduction of non-native species worldwide. In this context, data availability on host plants and their economic uses is essential in pest risk assessment and for planning effective detection and monitoring strategies against invasive species. This paper provides a complete and updated list of host plants, with economic categorization, for 2139 scolytine species.

Description of Sphaleroptera orientana meridionalis subs. n. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Cnephasiini) from the Pale di San Martino Mountain plateau (Dolomites, NE Italy).

On the base of newly collected material, a new subspecies of the alpine endemic moth Sphaleroptera orientana Whitebread, 2006 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from the Pale di San Martino Group (Dolomites, Northern Italy) is described. Morphological characters of the adults and DNA barcode suggests the presence of allopatric populations of S. orientana in the South-eastern Alps, attributable to two distinct subspecies: S. o. suborientana Whitebread, 2006 in the Catinaccio, the Sella, and the Fanes group, and Julian Alps, and S. o. meridionalis subs. nov. known from the Pale of San Martino group. The main biogeographic barrier is constituted by the complex of the Fiemme valleys-Val di Fassa-by the Pordoi Pass and by the Val Cordevole which from west to north to east separate the distribution area of S. o. suorientana from S.o. meridionalis.

Simultaneous detections of Olenecamptusbilobus (Fabricius, 1801) (Cerambycidae, Dorcaschematini) in Europe.

Background: Europe has a long history of non-native species introductions given its central role in global trade in recent centuries. Currently, approximately two hundred cerambycid species have been found in Europe, as the result of introductions between and within biogeographical regions; still, despite better monitoring and stronger restrictions, the arrivals and spread of non-native Cerambycidae continue. New information: The aim of this contribution is to report and discuss the first European records of the non-native longhorn beetle Olenecamptusbilobus (Fabricius, 1801) on the basis of three specimens recorded almost simultaneously in Spain and Greece, respectively.

First record of the non-native Osbornellusauronitens (Provancher, 1889) (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae) in Italy.

Background: Globalisation and international trade, in particular, are the major drivers of introduction and the spread of non-native species. To date, more than 30 species of non-native Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha have been accidentally introduced into Europe. Some species are invasive with important repercussions primarily for agricultural activities, while almost no information exists on their impacts within natural ecosystems. Therefore, early detection of non-native species and their subsequent monitoring are extremely important actions to undertake. New information: The North American Osbornellusauronitens (Provancher, 1889), firstly recorded for the Palearctic and Europe in Switzerland in 2016, is recorded in Italy for the first time on the basis of 77 specimens collected between August 2015 and October 2022.

The first full host plant dataset of Curculionidae Scolytinae of the world: tribe Xyleborini LeConte, 1876.

Xyleborini is the largest tribe of Scolytinae accounting for about 1300 species worldwide; all species are primarily xylomycetophagous, developing on symbiotic fungi farmed in plant woody tissues. Xyleborini wood-boring action, associated with the inoculum of symbiotic fungi, can lead, sometimes, to the emergence of host plant dieback, wood damage and death; for this reason, multiple Xyleborini are major pests on both cultivated, forest and ornamental trees. Many Xyleborini are invasive worldwide and great effort is expended to manage their biological invasions or prevent new arrivals. Imports of host plants often have a primary role as a pathway for introduction and are frequently responsible for the establishment of species in non-native environments. In this context, data availability on Xyleborini host plants is a major limiting factor in the development of effective detection and monitoring strategies as well as a fundamental variable to consider in risk assessment of plant pests and invasive species. This contribution provides updated host records and the hosts economic categorization for the 1293 Xyleborini known worldwide to date.

New records of non-native Coleoptera in Italy.

Background: In the last decades, climate change and globalisation have been exacerbating the introduction of non-native beetles worldwide. Due toits peculiar territory, climate and geographical position in the middle of the Mediterranean Basin, Italy is one of the European countries with the highest number of intercepted, adventive and established non-native beetles, some of which are invasive. In this perspective, producing new faunistic records and continuously updating reliable and easily accessible distributional data is a fundamental step in investigating and potentially preventing further species introduction. New information: The aim of this contribution is to report and discuss new faunistic records of non-native Coleoptera in Italy. For some species, new records enlarge the previously-known distribution (e.g. the ambrosia beetles Anisandrusmaiche (Kurentzov, 1941) and Cnestusmutilatus (Blandford, 1894) or the click beetle Monocrepidiusposticus (Eschscholtz, 1829)), while for others (e.g. the scarab beetle Archophileurusspinosus Dechambre, 2006), data confirm their establishment and highlight a possible expansion phase. The false powderpost beetles Ptilineurusmarmoratus (Reitter, 1877) and the longhorn beetle Xylotrechuschinensis (Chevrolat, 1852) are two new additions to the Italian fauna, while the establishment of the monotomid beetle Monotomaamericana Aubé 1837 is confirmed.

A preliminary catalogue of the Coleoptera (Hexapoda: Insecta) of the Monte Netto Regional Park (Lombardy NE Italy).

The Po Plain (Northern Italy) is one of the most urbanized areas in Europe. In such a territory, where ecosystem degradation reached critical levels and the agricultural matrix is prevailingly intensive, small fragments of hilly oak-hornbeam forests still persist. Examples of well preserved forests of the Po Plain are those of the Monte Netto Regional Park that represents irreplaceable refuges for both sedentary and migratory species. In this paper we present a preliminary list of Coleoptera inhabiting the Park collected during 10 years of field surveys using several sampling techniques (hand netting, beating tray, sight-collecting and collecting under bark; water nets; litter reducers, light traps; aerial sweet-bait trap; cross-vane panel trap, pitfall traps, Malaise traps, window traps, and walking transects). Specific samplings were also made in tree hollows and by car-netting. To date we have identified 834 species belonging to 531 genera and 71 families (several specimens and some families are still undetermined). Among all the species identified, 31 were non-native while 202 were included in the Red List of Italian saproxylic beetles, 12 of which were in threatened category. The high beetle richness and the presence of many endangered species recorded during this survey, emphasises the conservation value of Monte Netto. Moreover, the discovery of species linked to old and stable forest systems, such as Osmoderma eremita, Oxylaemus cylindricus, Pycnomerus terebrans or Xylotrechus antilope suggests how, despite their small size and the fact that they are surrounded by agricultural land, the remaining forest patches of Monte Netto still possess a fair level of naturalness, especially in the internal areas of the larger plots. Future targeted research, also intended to cover other parts of Monte Netto, could increase our present knowledge; however, and at least in the number of families, we do not expect a substantial increase in species richness.

The Tenebrionidae Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) of the Philippines. Part 2. Two new species of the genus Gauromaia Pascoe, 1866 (Cnodalonini) from Mindanao Island.

In the present contribution two new species of the genus Gauromaia (Tenebrionidae: Cnodalonini), namely G. ruffordi sp. nov. and G. kitangladensis sp. nov. from the island of Mindanao (Philippines) are described and illustrated.

Hammerhead flatworms (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae, Bipaliinae): mitochondrial genomes and description of two new species from France, Italy, and Mayotte.

BACKGROUND: New records of alien land planarians are regularly reported worldwide, and some correspond to undescribed species of unknown geographic origin. The description of new species of land planarians (Geoplanidae) should classically be based on both external morphology and histology of anatomical structures, especially the copulatory organs, ideally with the addition of molecular data. METHODS: Here, we describe the morphology and reproductive anatomy of a species previously reported as Diversibipalium "black", and the morphology of a species previously reported as Diversibipalium "blue". Based on next generation sequencing, we obtained the complete mitogenome of five species of Bipaliinae, including these two species. RESULTS: The new species Humbertium covidum n. sp. (syn: Diversibipalium "black" of Justine et al., 2018) is formally described on the basis of morphology, histology and mitogenome, and is assigned to Humbertium on the basis of its reproductive anatomy. The type-locality is Casier, Italy, and other localities are in the Department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France; some published or unpublished records suggest that this species might also be present in Russia, China, and Japan. The mitogenomic polymorphism of two geographically distinct specimens (Italy vs France) is described; the cox1 gene displayed 2.25% difference. The new species Diversibipalium mayottensis n. sp. (syn: Diversibipalium "blue" of Justine et al., 2018) is formally described on the basis of external morphology and complete mitogenome and is assigned to Diversibipalium on the basis of an absence of information on its reproductive anatomy. The type- and only known locality is the island of Mayotte in the Mozambique Channel off Africa. Phylogenies of bipaliine geoplanids were constructed on the basis of SSU, LSU, mitochondrial proteins and concatenated sequences of cox1, SSU and LSU. In all four phylogenies, D. mayottensis was the sister-group to all the other bipaliines. With the exception of D. multilineatum which could not be circularised, the complete mitogenomes of B. kewense, B. vagum, B. adventitium, H. covidum and D. mayottensis were colinear. The 16S gene in all bipaliine species was problematic because usual tools were unable to locate its exact position. CONCLUSION: Next generation sequencing, which can provide complete mitochondrial genomes as well as traditionally used genes such as SSU, LSU and cox1, is a powerful tool for delineating and describing species of Bipaliinae when the reproductive structure cannot be studied, which is sometimes the case of asexually reproducing invasive species. The unexpected position of the new species D. mayottensis as sister-group to all other Bipaliinae in all phylogenetic analyses suggests that the species could belong to a new genus, yet to be described.

New species and new records of exotic Scolytinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in Europe.

Background: Bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) are amongst the most important wood-boring insects introduced to Europe. During field investigations conducted between 2019 and 2021 in different countries and regions of Europe, many exotic species have been recorded providing new and relevant data. New information: Dryoxylononoharaense (Murayama, 1933) is recorded in Europe for the first time. Xyleborinusattenuatus (Blandford, 1894) is a species new to Italy, while Xylosandrusgermanus (Blandford, 1894), Hypothenemuseruditus (Westwood, 1836) and Amasa sp. near A.truncata are new country records for Portugal. Cnestusmutilatus (Blandford, 1894), Phloeotribusliminaris (Harris, 1852) were collected in Italy and Amasa sp. near A.truncata was collected in France after the first discovery, confirming their establishment and their dispersal into new areas.

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Its Fungal Symbiont Ambrosiella roeperi Associated with Arecanut Kernel Decay in Karnataka, India.

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is reported causing damage to areca palm plantations (Areca catechu L.-Arecaceae) in Karnataka (India). In particular, X. crassiusculus has been observed attacking and successfully reproducing on areca nuts; besides the new host plant record, the data provided here represent the first documented case of spermatophagy for this xyleborine beetle. All infestation symptoms of this polyphagous pest were documented and illustrated. The identity of the scolytid, besides morphologically, was confirmed by its DNA barcoding. Eggs, larvae and pupae were found within the galleries of infested kernels. All galleries of the infested kernels were characterized by the presence of whitish to greyish fungal growth. The fungus was identified as Ambrosiella roeperi, a known symbiont of Xylosandrus crassiusculus. Incidence of this symbiotic insect-fungus complex in the economic part of arecanut, i.e., the kernel, is of serious concern. In a climate change scenario, this beetle with fungal symbionts may pose a serious threat to arecanut production in India and elsewhere.

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) on Cocoa Pods (Theobroma cacao L.): Matter of Bugs and Fungi.

Exudation of mucilage from pinhead-sized boreholes in cocoa pods was recorded in Karnataka, India, during 2021. Further investigations showed the association of scolytine beetles with infested pods. The identity of the pest, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, was confirmed through morphological characterization and sequencing of the mitochondrial COI gene. We studied the predisposing factors for its infestation, visible and concealed damaging symptoms, and fungal symbionts. In addition to its well-known symbiotic fungus, Ambrosiella roeperi, a new association of yeast, Ambrosiozyma monospora, was discovered. We also traced the possible role of the mirid bug, Helopeltis theivora, in host selection by X. crassiusculus. Overall results indicated that a 'mirid bug-ambrosia beetle-pathogen complex' is responsible for the severe damage to cocoa pods in South India.

On the road: Anthropogenic factors drive the invasion risk of a wild solitary bee species.

Complex biotic networks of invaders and their new environments pose immense challenges for researchers aiming to predict current and future occupancy of introduced species. This might be especially true for invasive bees, as they enter novel trophic interactions. Little attention has been paid to solitary, invasive wild bees, despite their increasing recognition as a potential global threat to biodiversity. Here, we present the first comprehensive species distribution modelling approach targeting the invasive bee Megachile sculpturalis, which is currently undergoing parallel range expansion in North America and Europe. While the species has largely colonised the most highly suitable areas of North America over the past decades, its invasion of Europe seems to be in its early stages. We showed that its current distribution is largely explained by anthropogenic factors, suggesting that its spread is facilitated by road and maritime traffic, largely beyond its intrinsic dispersal ability. Our results suggest that M. sculpturalis is likely to be negatively affected by future climate change in North America, while in Europe the potential suitable areas at-risk of invasion remain equally large. Based on our study, we emphasise the role of expert knowledge for evaluation of ecologically meaningful variables implemented and interpreted for species distribution modelling. We strongly recommend that the monitoring of this and other invasive pollinator species should be prioritised in areas identified as at-risk, alongside development of effective management strategies.

Seven new species of the genus Phaedis Pascoe, 1866 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Cnodalonini) from Borneo.

Seven new species of the genus Phaedis (Tenebrionidae: Cnodalonini) from Borneo are described, of which three new species belong to the Phaedeucyrtus species-group and four new ones belong to the nominotypical species-group: Phaedis amabilis sp. nov., P. choui sp. nov., P. dilatitarsalis sp. nov., P. fusivittatus sp. nov., P. minusculus sp. nov., P. nagaii sp. nov., and P. tenuifasciatus sp. nov.

Seven new species of the genus Phaedis Pascoe, 1866 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Cnodalonini) from Borneo.

Seven new species of the genus Phaedis (Tenebrionidae: Cnodalonini) from Borneo are described, of which three new species belong to the Phaedeucyrtus species-group and four new ones belong to the nominotypical species-group: Phaedis amabilis sp. nov., P. choui sp. nov., P. dilatitarsalis sp. nov., P. fusivittatus sp. nov., P. minusculus sp. nov., P. nagaii sp. nov., and P. tenuifasciatus sp. nov.

First record of the invasive Lagria villosa (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Lagriinae) in Europe.

The lagriid beetle Lagria villosa (Fabricius, 1781), an invasive species of African origin, is recorded for the first time in Europe. A single specimen was found in November 2020 in Turku (Finland) inside a box of table grapes from a local supermarket. This species, included in the EPPO Global Database and in the CABI Invasive Species Compendium, is widely recognized as a significant pest of crops.

Givira ethela (Neumoegen and Dyar, 1893) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), A Previously Unidentified Pest on Vitis vinifera (L.).

Grape cultivation is a billion-dollar agricultural sector in California, where invasive or novel pest species can disrupt management practices. We report herein on a new pest associated with California vineyards, the carpentermoth Givira ethela (Neumoegen and Dyar, 1893). Rather than an invasive species, G. ethela appears to be a newly recognized wood-boring pest of Vitis vinifera (L.) in regions of California's Central Valley, where its initial occurrence has been dated back to, at least, the beginning of the 2000s. The habitus of adult, genitalia and pupa is illustrated. Givira ethela distribution in California is updated including published records and new data. Carpentermoth galleries seem to facilitate the access of Planococcus ficus Signoret, 1875 to vine sap and protection from natural enemies, environmental stresses, and pesticide treatments. Notes on pest status, life history, monitoring practices, natural enemies, and management options on grapes are also discussed. Tools for the Integrated Pest Management of G. ethela should include the correct identification of the insect and its damage, a full understanding of its biology and ecology, the application of monitoring methods, and the identification of economic thresholds and injury levels.

Monitoring Exotic Beetles with Inexpensive Attractants: A Case Study.

Detecting and monitoring exotic and invasive Coleoptera is a complex activity to implement, and citizen science projects can provide significant contributions to such plans. Bottle traps are successfully used in wildlife surveys and can also be adapted for monitoring alien species; however, a sustainable, large scale trapping plan must take into account the collateral catches of native species and thus minimize its impact on local fauna. In the present paper, we tested the use of bottles baited with standard food products that can be purchased in every supermarket and immediately used (apple cider vinegar, red wine, and 80% ethyl alcohol) in capturing exotic and invasive beetles in the area surrounding Malpensa Airport (Italy). In particular, we reduced the exposition type of the traps in each sampling round to three days in order to minimize native species collecting. We found a significant effect of the environmental covariates (trap placement, temperature, humidity, and forest type) in affecting the efficiency in catching target beetles. Nearly all invasive Nitidulidae and Scarabaeidae known to be present in the area were captured in the traps, with apple cider vinegar usually being the most effective attractant, especially for the invasive Popillia japonica.