Establishment and new hosts of the non-native seed beetle Stator limbatus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) on acacias in Europe

Abstract

Stator limbatus is a phytophagous beetle native to warm regions of North and Central America, feeding on Fabaceae seeds and one of the most polyphagous species within the subfamily Bruchinae, here reported for the first time in Europe and on new hosts. Adult beetles emerged from Acacia spp. seeds collected in the islands of Corsica (France), and Sardinia (Italy). The wide presence in Sardinia and Corsica supports the hypothesis that this alien species was introduced several years ago. In both islands, S. limbatus emerged from Acacia mearnsii seeds, with infestation rates of up to 74.2 and 90.8% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. This seed beetle also emerged from two previously unreported host species, Acacia saligna and A. pycnantha, showing highest infestation rates of 4.0 and 95.1%, respectively. Both Acacia species are reported as new host associations with S. limbatus. Overall, seed infestation rates recorded in 2019 and 2020 indicate that S. limbatus is well established and that Mediterranean bioclimatic conditions are suitable for its population increase in size. This study lays the foundations for further research on known and potential host species and the spread and distribution of S. limbatus in Europe.

First record of the alien seed beetle Stator limbatus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) from Cyprus

“…H.L.Wendl. has been found to serve as a suitable host for S. limbatus (Cocco et al 2021) and is abundant in the area (Pescott et al 2018). Nevertheless, eucalypts might provide nourishment for this polyphagous seed-beetle feeding on pollen.…”

“…Raf. has been suggested as a possible host for the species (Kingsolver 2004) but this report remains uncertain (Cocco et al 2021). 1).…”

“…data). Recently, S. limbatus has been recorded in Europe, from France (Corsica) and Italy (Sardinia) (Cocco et al 2021). The species has been regarded as polyphagous feeding on seeds of various Fabaceae such as representatives of the genera Acacia Mill., Albizia Durazz., Cassia L. Cercidium Tul., Leucaena Benth., Pithecellobium Mart., and Senegalia Raf.…”