The role of loquat to maintain entomological diversity in the Conca d'Oro orchards

The loquat [Eriobotryo japonica (Thumb.) Lindl.] is an allochthonous species long cultivated in Sicily. In some parts of Sicily such as the Siracusa province, the loquat is cultivated in mono-specific orchards. In other sites, like Conca d'Oro and other places near the town of Palermo, loquat is intercropped with other tree species such as citrus, apricot, peach, mulberry, walnut, Mediterranean hackberry. The loquat plays an important role in order to increase biodiversity within these orchards. The old or dead loquat trees host a variety of xylophagous insects and more in particular Coleoptera: Cerambycidae beetles Dynastidae, and Cetoniidae. Longhorn beetles, rhinoceros beetles and flower…

Longhorn beetles of the Ficuzza woods (W Sicily, Italy) and their relationship with plant diversity (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae

The woods in Sicily are the result of centuries of anthropogenic activities that have reduced the surface of wood and changed the original composition even with the introduction of alien species to native flora. The value in terms of biodiversity of these forests remains, however, high for they are the last refuge areas for many animals and plant species. This study was conducted within the Ficuzza woods (West Sicily), extended about 5,000 hectares on the slopes of limestone-dolomite rock of Busambra (1615 m asl), within which lies the largest remaining forest area in western Sicily. It is an area with a wide diversity of vegetation, represented mainly by native forests (holm oak, cork oak,…

Commento agli artt. 219, 249, 250, 251, 251-bis del Codice dei contratti pubblici.

Il Tetrops starkii chevrolat, 1859 in Sicilia (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)

First report of Cerambicide Tetrops starkii Chevrolat, 1859 (Coleoptera Cerambycidae) in Sicily. Is reported the presence in Sicily of the new Beetle Cerambycidae Tetrops starki Chevrolat, 1859 found on Fraxinus angustifolia larval stage and carried out some observations of biological and forestry on the host plants.