Insect ecology and conservation in urban areas: An overview of knowledge and needs

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 169 - 181

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Urban expansion across the globe profoundly impacts local biodiversity. The growing body of urban ecology research on animals has largely focused mammals and birds, whereas knowledge insect conservation in areas remains limited. To anchor this Special Issue (SI), we have taken a broad approach to editorial conducted structured literature search set scene. We provide here an overview existing reviews conservation, indicate where articles included SI contribute developing our understanding point priority for further investigation. Key themes (at individual, species, and/or community level) include influence habitat quality, quantity land use type diversity; anthropogenic pollution (for instance, heat, noise, light chemicals); connectivity changes structure density genetic diversity. Insect diversity abundance broadly decline with loss habitat. Beyond this, variation responses different taxa, or regions, methodological limitations individual studies make it challenging identify general patterns. environments should focus applying ecological theory understand patterns; investigating interactions between climate change contexts; identifying novel biodiversity; addressing harmonising approaches; exploring social historical factors must also consider into how best communicate value insects humans.

Language: Английский

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One hundred and eighty years of Saga pedo (Pallas, 1771) (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) findings in Italy diachronically revisited

The European Zoological Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 92(1), P. 51 - 60

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

According to the most recent updates on occurrence of Saga pedo in Italy, including observations from San Marino, 92 findings have been reported. Of these, 12 were recorded between 2000 and 2020, 26 1971 1999, 44 before 1970 (1855–1969). The this Saginae, listed annexes Habitat Directive, referred 18 regions (excluding Emilia Romagna Marche) 42 provinces. Through work, utilizing web searches recently published or unpublished data, we collected information species' across all Italian regions, adding 11 more provinces 81 new findings. We put together 174 records insect Italy 1855 2023, dividing them into three periods: (1) 1970; (2) 1971–1999; (3) 2000–2023. Here, present its diachronic distribution. Moreover, identified an interesting relationship limestone dolomite bedrocks distribution territory, suggesting a strong calciphily orthopteran. Over past 180 years, elevation sampling sites has also increased. mean altitude rose less than 400 m about 540 a.s.l. with maximum known increasing 950 over 1,200 This research provides additional insights importance Citizen Science collecting ecological particularly for threatened species those under Directive.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the Factors Driving the Success of Urban-Exploiting Spiders

The Quarterly Review of Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 100(1), P. 5 - 28

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Language: Английский

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DNA-barcoding and ecological niche analysis of Wart Biters (Decticus spp.) from an endemism hotspot (Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae)

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5621(5), P. 547 - 559

Published: April 21, 2025

Understanding biogeographical patterns is a challenging task, particularly in the case of poorly studied organisms, whose phylogenetic affinities and ecological needs are not yet understood. Such common among invertebrates insects, extensive diversity may hamper full deep comprehension their evolutionary patterns. Within orthopterans also represent relatively group. Building knowledge upon biogeography evolution provide key insights to conservation, especially range-restricted taxa that inherently more vulnerable, prone extinction. In this study we thus applied an integrated approach, combining DNA-barcoding niche modelling, for investigating wart biters (Orthoptera Tettigoniidae, genus Decticus). We aimed at providing first screening molecular identity species within genus, assessment macro-ecological needs. analysed mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome oxidase I COI) bioclimatic data four Decticus occur Italian Peninsula (D. verrucivorus, D. albifrons, loudoni, aprutianus), reconstructing relationships based on approaches, comparing preferences. COI sequences all found Italy, including one available two endemic ones. clear differentiation species, with albifrons being most distinct basal taxon, as sequence adopted. Our results bring evidence significant differentiation, each occupying portion climatic space Italy. Notably, short-winged loudoni aprutianus, result sister according COI, exhibit greater specialisation compared widespread species. Besides, highlight intra-taxon both verrucivorus sensu stricto suggesting further research potential intraspecific variability be needed clarify taxonomic position populations. The observed genetic divergence suggest adaptation different conditions have played role diversification these confirmed importance biodiversity hotspot Orthoptera solid baseline in-depth studies, besides novel used e.g., metabarcoding or eDNA campaigns. Further fact explore specific factors driving other taxa, investigate pathways led genus’ current distribution.

Language: Английский

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Past present: Extinction debt of forest mammals from urban areas

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 306, P. 111143 - 111143

Published: April 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Mini-round box as standardized sampling method for orthopterans in alpine and subalpine grasslands: a field study to highlight strengths and weaknesses

Contributions to Entomology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 75(1), P. 213 - 222

Published: April 28, 2025

Orthopterans are known as suitable ecological indicators in grassland habitats, with their community composition providing useful information about the environmental consequences of management actions, processes, or climate change. However, studies often require collection both species richness and abundance data, which difficult to obtain for these insects without a proper sampling strategy certain population density conditions. In general, box quadrats high sides (≥ 1 m 2 ) represent valuable method assess orthopteran assemblages open although big size might be inappropriate challenging environments, such high-elevation alpine grasslands. For this reason, paper effectiveness smaller (0.16 handy (circular-shaped) version quadrat device (hereafter called “mini-round box”) is tested field. Then, through Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis, positive negative features highlighted, focusing particular on subalpine context. Overall, mini-round showed good potential handy, easy, cheap, standardized method, but serious shortcomings detection have been observed (i.e. 47% undetected average). A number strengths interesting opportunities counteracted by weaknesses significant threats, need carefully evaluated when planning design involving orthopterans indicators. Some solutions improve accuracy suggested, perhaps encouraging performance biodiversity monitoring even ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Urbanization reduces Orthoptera diversity and changes community structure towards mobile species

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 259 - 272

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Urban land use is regarded as one major driver for insect declines worldwide. We investigated how Orthoptera diversity and traits respond to the urban matrix local vegetation parameters. were collected using a combined method of box‐quadrat sampling pitfall trapping. sampled 42 dry grasslands in Berlin, Germany, along gradients urbanization (measured proportion sealed surface surrounding sites) connectivity. further included patch size parameters (plant richness, total cover, herb neophyte cover) our models. Urbanization was main explaining species Simpson functional (functional dispersion), which all decreased with increasing surrounding. also influenced composition. Thereby, trait analyses revealed that acted habitat filter sorting towards mobile species. However, responses most common showed effects specific. Our results demonstrate predominantly negative on diversity. Nevertheless, environments can provide important habitats, particular Even small isolated patches contribute conservation cities.

Language: Английский

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Evidence of plasticity, but not evolutionary divergence, in the thermal limits of a highly successful urban butterfly

Journal of Insect Physiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 155, P. 104648 - 104648

Published: May 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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A matter of connection: the importance of habitat networks for endangered butterflies in anthropogenic landscapes

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(5), P. 1623 - 1633

Published: April 5, 2024

Abstract Cities are expanding at fast rates across the world, representing one of main drivers biodiversity loss due to habitat replacement. Nonetheless, urban and peri-urban areas often feature green spaces that may offer opportunities wildlife even represent safe havens for endangered species. key shape responses landscapes, in turn their ability persist within cities, far from being fully understood. Here we focus on an ecologically specialized butterfly, endemic Italian festoon Zerynthia cassandra , as a model assess how species survive highly modified landscapes. The relatively low mobility high host plant specialization make Z. excellent target studies ecology, they able exploit small suitable patches while same time potentially sensitive fragmentation urbanization land reclamation. We thus first document widespread occurrence sites two landscapes central southern Italy, with 25 35% actually occupied by . By modeling probability butterfly function environmental characteristics, found is strongly influenced functional connectivity among well abundance Aristolochia plants, availability profitable cover classes immediate surroundings potential oviposition sites. Our results indicate not only networks populations protected species, but management should also matrix order provide connecting corridors, assets guarantee persistence cities.

Language: Английский

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Causes of Concern: The Main Threats to Insects

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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