He was interested from an early age in the fauna which surrounded him, making collecting trips, preparing specimens and noting his observations.

He became a member of the Reale Società Agraria di Torino in 1807 when he presented his first studies relating to the Coleoptera of Piedmont.

Vat encouraged him to further his knowledge by coming to follow courses at the Natural History Museum in Paris.

In the same year, he discovered Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) which was likewise named by Vieillot in 1822.

[1] Bonelli is most notable for his work on birds and on the beetle family Carabidae.