John G Coutsis’s scientific contributions

In recent decades, the introduced lycaenid Cacyreus marshalli has received much attention because of the damage caused to ornamental species of Geranium and Pelargonium following the species’ rapid spread from Mallorca to many other areas of the Mediterranean and to mainland Europe. Concerns have been expressed that native Geraniaceae and those lepidopteran species using these as hostplants, might be at some risk. In this paper, we demonstrate further range expansion in the eastern Mediterranean countries of Greece and Turkey, note that little if any evidence is available to indicate any threat to native Geraniaceae and, perhaps for the first time, consider that the damage now being caused has fallen to acceptable levels. Taken together, current experience appears to imply that C. marshalli might soon become regarded as a welcome addition to the Palaearctic fauna.