Metamasius hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Dryophthorinae) on a hand of bananas in Greece

Metamasius hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Dryophthorinae) on a hand of bananas in Greece

Blog Article

A dead individual of Metamasius hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) Astragalus was collected by a citizen scientist in Athens, Greece from a hand of imported bananas.The equatorial origin of the fruit as well as the extensive growth of a fungus on the specimen, both suggest an unintentional introduction as a contaminant.Nevertheless, this record highlights the valu-able contribution of citizen scientists in the Play Vehicles study of alien species.Although the species is not presently considered as established in the country, citizen-science initiatives in order to raise awareness and monitor its presence are ongoing.