Glasilo biljne zaštite, Vol. 21 No. 5, 2021.
Professional paper
ASIAN SMOLAR BEE Megachile sculpturalis SMTIH, 1853 (HYMENOPTERA: MEGACHILIDAE); INVASIVE BEE SPECIES IN EUROPE
Marija Andrijana Galešić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za poljoprivrednu zoologiju
Maja Čačija
orcid.org/0000-0001-9841-2721
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za poljoprivrednu zoologiju
Martina Kadoić Balaško
orcid.org/0000-0002-3717-5301
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za poljoprivrednu zoologiju
Abstract
Invasive species pose an enormous threat and are causing a rapid decline in biodiversity. With the aim of maintaining ecological balance, it is of great importance to gather as much knowledge as possible about introduced species. Megachile sculpturalis, a bee species native to Asia, was first discovered in Europe in 2008, in Allauch, Southern France. From then until now, it has spread rapidly across the European continent without being stopped by natural barriers such as mountains or the sea. The lack of knowledge and the difficulty to collect information led scientists from Vienna and Belgrade to start a Citizen Science project to collect more information about M. sculpturalis. They have collected data and evidence on the competitive and aggressive behaviour of M. sculpturalis towards native bee species. The results of the project suggest that intensive monitoring and data collection is needed to learn more about this species and the potential threat it poses to native bee species. In this way, biodiversity can be preserved and ecological homeostasis hopefully kept intact. Since this year, scientists and citizens from the Republic of Croatia also participate in the Citizen Science Project.
Keywords
giant resin bee; invasive species; citizen science
Hrčak ID:
263600
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2021.
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