Naturalization and spread of the alien species Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ernobiinae) in Italy

Abstract Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ernobiinae), species native to North America, is a saproxylophagous and known feed on decaying tissues within conspicuous galls vegetal organic material such as dried fruits or small wood shavings insect excrements in galleries made by other woodboring species. A few years after the first record 2011, its naturalization Italy here reported. The was found successor of Psectrosema tamaricis (Diptera Cecidomyiidae), Plagiotrochus gallaeramulorum , Andricus multiplicatus Synophrus politus (Hymenoptera Cynipidae) . seem have played an important ecological role speeding up process. lowest proportion used O. recorded for P. (23%), only host belonging Cecidomyiidae, while percentages species, all Cynipidae forming oaks, were higher: 43.6%, 61.1% 76.9% S. gallaeramulorum, respectively. Although able exploit substrates like vegetables, which it could represent potential pest, prefers live woody galls, thus can sort natural barrier limiting possible damages substrates.