Revisiting the non-native insect fauna of Greece: Current trends and an updated checklist

Jakovos Demetriou,Dimitrios N Avtzis,Christos Georgiadis,Evangelos Koutsoukos,Christos Kazilas,Konstantinos Kalaentzis

doi:10.3897/neobiota.65.64686

Abstract

Alien invasive species not only have adverse environmental impacts, they may also pose socioeconomic and human health threats. The increase in detected non-native (alien) and cryptogenic species, followed by the necessity for up-to-date scientific information on biological invasions, prompted a thorough literature investigation on the non-native entomofauna of Greece. Supplementing previous studies concerning Europe and Greece, a checklist for the non-native insect species of the country is provided, while their number is elevated from 266 to 469. Current trends regarding species richness and taxonomy, deliberate or accidental means of introduction, as well as their native range and trophic preferences are analysed and discussed. This publication illustrates the current state of non-native insects of Greece, highlighting the need for an effective early warning system integrated in national phytosanitary legislation, survey protocols and strategies towards the eradication and mitigation of their detrimental impacts.

Highlights

Human-mediated species translocations, mostly due to globalisation and international trade, have gradually led to an unprecedented rise in the number of non-native species across the world and which is showing no signs of saturation (Hulme 2009; Seebens et al 2017)
Pursuing the need for up-to-date scientific information on alien species (Tsiamis et al 2016), this study aims to integrate recent, as well as previously neglected data on the non-native insect species of the country
If we take into account the nine aforementioned species that were excluded, new additions increase the total number of non-native insects from the previous checklist by 82% that is, by 212 species

Summary

Introduction

Human-mediated species translocations, mostly due to globalisation and international trade, have gradually led to an unprecedented rise in the number of non-native species across the world and which is showing no signs of saturation (Hulme 2009; Seebens et al 2017). Beside the phytosanitary risk, various alien species have been deemed as a public health hazard through the transmission of diseases and allergens, the infliction of venomous bites or the release of poisonous toxins (Schindler et al 2015; Peyton et al 2020). These pervasive, contemporary challenges reinforce the necessity for further research on and constant update of the non-native species regarding their introduction, establishment and distribution, and mitigation of their adverse impact and possible eradication

Objectives

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Discussion

Conclusion