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The recent spread of the invasive woody alien plant Melia azedarach 511

ly, i.e. i) the introduction frequency, ii) the climatic trend, and iii) the interac-
tion with potential disseminators. As concerns the first driving factor, the Per-
sian lilac is still planted for shading and ornamental purposes in many urban
and sub-urban areas. Moreover, we believe that M. azedarach will be neither
limited by natural enemies, as it is well protected by numerous chemical com-
pounds with strong insecticidal (BREUER & DEVKOTA, 1990; CHEN et al.,
1996) and nematicidal (NTALLI et al., 2010) properties, nor by climatic con-
straints, especially if the warming trend recorded on a regional basis over the
last 30 years (D’ASARO et al., 2007) will be confirmed.
The invasive behavior of M. azedarach may be enhanced if it widens its
spectrum of potential dispersers. This may occur, as Sicily hosts many species
belonging to the same groups of birds (Passeriformes, Piciformes) and bats
(Chiroptera) which disperse Melia’s fruits in South Africa (VOIGT et al.,
2011); besides, Wood pigeons (Columba palumbus, Linnaeus 1758) feeding
on Melia have already been observed in the territory of Trabia (Palermo
province, Rosa E.B. Carvalho, pers. comm.).

Ackowledgements — Part of the data here reported have been carried out by the first author
during field investigations within his doctoral thesis in “Sistemi Arborei Agrari e Forestali” (XXIV
cycle), Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences (SAF), University of Palermo. The authors
are grateful to the anonymous referee whose suggestions allowed to improve the text.

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