Alien insects on Eucalytpus spp.: an australian biocenosis in Tuscany
Authors
Alberto F. Inghilesi
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 – Firenze
Rita Cervo
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 – Firenze
Fabrizio Pennacchio
Consiglio per la ricerca e la sperimentazione in agricoltura - Research Centre for Agrobiology and Pedology, via Lanciola 12⁄a, 50125, Firenze
Pio Federico Roversi
Consiglio per la ricerca e la sperimentazione in agricoltura - Research Centre for Agrobiology and Pedology, via Lanciola 12⁄a, 50125, Firenze
Elena Tricarico
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 – Firenze
Giuseppe Mazza
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 – Firenze
Despite the diffusion of eucalypts in Italy, the community of insects hosted by these trees is scantily studied, while information about the presence of these pests is crucial for their potential threats to economic activities. This study aims at investigating and evaluating the status of Australian insects hosted by eucalypts in Tuscany (Central Italy). We found six established species and, among them, two species recently discovered in the study area were noteworthy for their potential impacts and diffusion: Gonipterus scutellatus complex and Glycaspis brimblecombei. We provided a distribution map on Tuscan coast for both these species and revised data on biology and presence of these and other alien insects Eucalyptus-linked species.
