A first report of introduced non-native damselfly species (Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae) for Belgium

Abstract

The introduction and spread of invasive alien species (IAS) constitutes one of the most important drivers affecting global biodiversity and ecosystem services (1). The rate of biological invasions is accelerated by the world-wide movement of people and goods (2).It is widely recognized that an important first step in developing a strategy for addressing the IAS problem is to document alien species already present as well as those likely to arrive in a particular region. Therefore, reporting on the occurrence of the non-invasive segment of non-native species remains important, since non-natives can become established and behave invasive in time. Moreover, data on pathways and commodities of introductions are crucial to inform preventive strategies to reduce the arrival of new and potentially damaging alien species (3). Information on the routes and mechanisms of invasions is also used in alien species risk assessments, management, monitoring and surveillance (4). Pathway analysis represents a first and important step of curtailing the accidental spread of non-native species and is becoming increasingly important with the newly adopted European Union regulation No 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of IAS (5, 6). This regulation includes provisions for the drafting of action plans on priority pathways of unintentional species introductions. Here, we report on the introduction of two species of damselfly alien to Belgium: