Among the ancient pages of monumental library of the Alberoni College of Piacenza a little new guest is wandering around: a insect never observed before in Italy, nicknamed “nerd” by entomologists. This creature, whose scientific name is Sphaeropsocopsis utriusquemariaechristinae, seems to have a particular predilection for ancient books and paintingsmaking itself noticed not only in the Piacenza library but also in other places of culture.
The discovery is the fruit of work of two Italian entomologistsRinaldo Nicoli Aldini and Maria Cristina Bertonazzi, who collaborated with the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. The scholars identified the insect during the monitoring of libraries, archives and museums, environments in which the insect seems to find its ideal habitat.
The little “nerd” was identified not only at the Alberoni College, but also at the Library of the Episcopal Seminary of Cremona, the Diocesan Archives and the “Ala Ponzone” Civic Museum of the same city. The new species appears to be associated with indoor environments characterized by poor lighting and high humidity, conditions typical of libraries and historical museums.
It is not a danger for ancient books and paintings
But what does this particular insect eat? There is no need to worry about our precious books and paintings: it seems that the Sphaeropsocopsis utriusquemariaechristinae feeds mainly on remains of other dead arthropodslike spiders, and not of paper or paint pigments. Experts classify it as a tubivorous insect, interested more in the carcasses of other insects than in the direct deterioration of cultural heritage.
This discovery represents an important novelty in the field of biodiversity, given that they are identified every year in Italy over one hundred new indigenous species. However, this is the first time that Nicoli Aldini and Maria Cristina Bertonazzi have found themselves faced with a discovery of this magnitude.
Their research also attracted attention for the scientific name assigned to the insect, which honors both entomologists (Maria Cristiana Bertonazzi and Maria Cristina Reguzzi, another member of the group) involved in the discovery. In fact, Sphaeropsocopsis utriusquemariaechristinae means “Sphaeropsocide of the two Maria Cristina”.
Therefore, although the presence of this insect may seem curious, there is no reason to be alarmed. The “nerd” is a discreet tenant who, so far, . It remains to be seen whether this species is native or whether it arrived in Italy from other continents, perhaps traveling together with the ancient books it loves so much.
