A review of current range expansion of Cacyreus marshalli Butler, 1898 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae) in western Turkey

Abstract

In recent decades Cacyreus marshalli, an introduced alien lycaenid, has attracted attention due to its rapid spread throughout much of the Mediterranean and into mainland Europe. C.marshalli and more recently Papilio demoleus are invasive butterfly species actively expanding their ranges in the Mediterranean basin in recent years. In 2018, the authors participated in a paper describing the range expansion of C. marshalli in Greece and Turkey, since when the species has established a significant presence in İstanbul, in contrast to our expectations of eastward dispersal along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Here, we discuss the present status of C. marshalli in Turkey and consider the direction of possible future range extension.