Alien leaf beetles of European Russia: native ranges, invasion history, biology and vectors of dispersal

Abstract

AbstractInvasions of leaf beetles are of great ecological and economic significance, but poorly studied. The rate of these invasions in Europe is dramatically increasing. Some established species spread quickly occupying almost the whole continent within several decades. We present the first inventory of alien leaf beetles of European Russia. For each species the map of distribution is provided and the history of invasion in the world is discussed. Two species native to Mediterranean Region: Chrysolina americana (pest of Rosmarinus and Lavandula) and Leptomona erythrocephala feeding on Lotus corniculatus are recorded in European Russia for the first time. A polyphagous pest of floriculture Luperomorpha xanthodera native to China and Korea and pest of soybeans Medythia nigrobilineata native to East Asia were recorded in 2016. A pest of tobacco Epitrix hirtipennis native to North America was recorded in 2013. A pest of corn Diabrotica virgifera was intercepted at the border of Russia in 2011, but is not established. Three alien species were recorded in the 20th century: Zygogramma suturalis introduced from North America for control of Ambrosia, Phyllotreta reitteri native to Afghanistan and Tajikistan and feeding on Lepidium latifolium, and the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The Black Sea region is more prone to leaf beetle invasions than other regions of European Russia. Leaf beetles usually occur only on alien or cultivated plants. Some species feed on native plants in native communities. So it is difficult to distinguish species established before the 20th century from native ones.