CITIZEN-SCIENCE AS AN EFFECTIVE TRANSCONTINENTAL TOOL FOR MONITORING THE RANGE EXPANSION OF THE ALIEN PALM BORER MOTH IN URBAN AREAS

Accurate and up-to-date information on the distribution of invasive alien insect species is crucial for effective biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. The palm borer moth (Paysandisia archon, PBM), a neotropical pest moth, has invaded Europe and western Asia, threatening native and ornamental palm populations. This study aimed to update the PBM distribution in these regions by using citizen science data. A media campaign utilizing social media and the iNaturalist platform was conducted to gather PBM sightings from 2000 to 2025. Citizen scientists contributed a total of 2267 validated records across Europe and Western Asia, including one previously unreported country, i.e. Türkiye. The analysis revealed a remarkable range expansion of the PBM distribution compared to previous assessments. Notably, the species is primarily found in urban environments, with limited presence observed in rural areas where native European palms occur. This study highlights the importance of citizen science in monitoring the spread of this invasive insect species. Collected data provides a crucial foundation for tracking the PBM future range expansion and informing conservation strategies for threatened native palm species. Furthermore, we also emphasized the importance of continued citizen science involvement in invasive species monitoring, as it can effectively complement traditional scientific methods. Key Words: Citizens; invasive alien species; Paysandisia archon; photographic confirmation; range expansion.