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

Abstract

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, deciduous oaks), groups of riparian vegetation, shrubs, bushes, grasslands, and of non-native forest formations (Pinus and Eucalyptus woods). The study on Cerambycidae in this area is fragmented and does not specify a relation the species with the surrounding vegetation. This study was performed by choosing among various groups of insects, xylophagous Coleoptera Cerambycidae; existing literature data and extensive collected field data were reviewed. The analysis was also performed by the collection of dead wood in order to distinguish the relationship between the plant species and coleoptera. The results summarize and supplement the data registered so far, shedding further light on the ecological role of this group of insects that are also valid biomarkers of the integrity and complexity of the forest.