Insects (2021) 12 (9 - 839)

Loren Anna Palazzo, Chiara Beatrice Vicentini, Maria Gabriella Marchetti, Marilena Leis, Milvia Chicca, Chiara Scapoli, Teresa Bonacci and Marco Pezzi (2021)
Analysis of insect pests in an 18th-century historical pharmacy: A case study in Ferrara
Insects 12 (9 - 839)
Abstract: Historical pharmacies are valuable artistic, cultural, and scientific assets. In Italy, 482 historical pharmacies have been catalogued thus far, among which is the Navarra-Bragliani Pharmacy in Ferrara, whose wood furniture dates back to the 18th century. A study on insects causing biodeterioration was carried out for the first time on this valuable asset in order to monitor and preserve it. Insect samples were collected during surveys and examined by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, using taxonomical keys for identification. The results revealed the presence of three species of Coleoptera—the first one specialised to attack wood materials, the second one polyphagous, and the third one feeding on materials of animal origin. The data obtained in this investigation may be useful for the preservation of the precious furnishing of the historical Navarra-Bragliani Pharmacy for performing similar studies on other ancient pharmacies aimed to protect these valuable cultural and scientific assets.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
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Database assignments for author(s): Marilena Leis

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Stegobium paniceum	Museum collections	Italy
	Lyctus brunneus	Wood products	Italy
	Anthrenus verbasci	Museum collections	Italy