Biodiversity Journal, 2010, 1(1-4): 15-44 Longhorn beetles of the Ficuzza woods (W Sicily, Italy) and their relationship with plant diversity (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) Tommaso La Mantia1, Michele Bellavista2, Giovanni Giardina3 & Ignazio Sparacio4 1Dipartimento di Colturee arboree, viale delle Scienze, Ed. 4, Ingr. H - 90128 Palermo, Italy, e-mail:
[email protected]. 2Via A. De Gasperi, 90 – 90146 Palermo, Italy; e-mail:
[email protected]. 3Via del Littorio 31, 90030 Ficuzza, Monreale, Italy, e-mail:
[email protected]. 4Via E. Notarbartolo, 54 int. 13 – 90145 Palermo, Italy; e-mail:
[email protected] 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.