Companions and Antagonists in the Anthropocene Ethnography of the Biocontrol of Glycaspis brimblecombei and Beekeeping in Sardinia

Abstract

This article examines how the spread of Glycaspis brimblecombei (an eucalyptus parasite) in Sardinia has led to a reconfiguration of the concepts of “native” and “non-native” among beekeepers, researchers, and institutions, reshaping narratives about biodiversity and the control of biological invasions. Through a lengthy negotiation process with researchers and policymakers, beekeepers secured a monitoring plan for eucalyptus parasites in 2012. Then, in 2020, they obtained the creation of a Sentinel Garden for monitoring invasive species. Using field data and archival material, the study analyzes the landscape “patchwork” created by the coexistence of “invasive” and “native” species, highlighting the role of technical-scientific discourse in determining which species to save and which to eliminate. It offers a critical perspective on conservation and protection practices in the Anthropocene.