The recent spread of the carpenter bee Xylocopa pubescens (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Europe and the first record for the Aegean Archipelago

The African species Xylocopa pubescens Spinola (Hymenoptera, Apidae) has recently stabilized in some European countries such as Cyprus, Greece, and Spain. Wood transportation and climate change are the main hypotheses for the spread of this non-native bee in Europe. I present the first record in the literature from Santorini and the Aegean Archipelago, confirming the Citizen Science data from different websites. The presence and the spread of this species in Europe are discussed.

Automated summary

The African species Xylocopa pubescens Spinola has recently become established in several European countries, including Cyprus, Greece, and Spain. The spread of this non-native bee in Europe is believed to be facilitated by wood transportation and climate change. This study presents the first documented record of Xylocopa pubescens in Santorini and the Aegean Archipelago, providing further evidence from Citizen Science data collected through various websites. The presence and spread of this species in Europe are then discussed.