Entomological Society of Malta - vol. 4 launch

Last Friday saw the launch of the 4th volume of ESM's excellent series of papers dealing with, as the name of the society implies, the entomology of the Maltese islands and their biogeographic context.

The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. George Abela, and three society members (including its chairman) delivered short speeches on the importance of scientific research, peer reviews, funding and the maintenance of high publication standards. 

The scope of the talks ranged from the general, all-encompassing importance of works by luminaries such as Max Planck and Thomas Kuhn, to the specialized methodologies employed by scientists dealing in what the public may perceive as the "dinja stramba ta' dud, nemel u nsetti oħra" (lit. strange world of bugs, ants and other insects).

On to the main issue at hand - and its contents. This collection contains:

1) a catalogue of the aphid species occurring in Malta, with 48 new records, together with a list of aphid parasitoids, with three new records, and a new record of a coccid

2) observations and records of tachinid, rhinophorid and cecidomyiid flies from Malta and other Mediterranean areas

3) observations and records of nepticulid and pyralid moths from Malta

4) a catalogue of Maltese Scarabeoidea with eight new records, with a discussion on possible extinction mechanisms for these very interesting beetles

5) short features aimed at the younger demographic

A sample illustration - Scarabaeus (Ateuchetus) semipunctatus Fabricius, 1792 and Scarabaeus (Ateuchetus) variolosus Fabricius, 1787

The website was not updated in time for the launch, therefore for more information on the society please contact

Dr. David Mifsud
Entomological Society of Malta
P. O. Box 9
Marsa, MRS1000
Malta

Death of a Phoenix

Palms are a common sight in Malta, with the warm temperatures affecting the islands throughout most of the year being a perfect catalyst for their growth and proliferation. This said, indigenous species amount to just one - the low-growing, bushy Chamaerops humilis L., now practically extinct in the wild.

Chamaerops humilis L., photographed by Aron Tanti

The recent invasion of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) has affected several of the ornamental palms of the genus Phoenix.

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) from www.cm-oaz.pt

 
The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., is a historically important North African species that may be distinguished by leaves arranged in wide silvery fronds. The picture beneath shows this species of palm affected by the Rhynchophorus beetle.

Phoenix dactylifera L. affected by the red palm weevil in Santa Venera, Malta

Phoenix sp. in Rome, Italy, with the one on the right showing symptoms of red palm weevil infestation

Phoenix canariensis Chabaud is a Canarian endemic which is frequently planted around the Mediterranean, not least in Malta. Unfortunately it is also affected by the weevil in question and several stately specimens from around the island have been destroyed.

Phoenix canariensis Chabaud in the main road of Floriana, Malta

The inhabitants of Tenerife certainly make excellent use of their endemic palm species!

Entomological Society of Malta - vol. 3 launch

The launch of the annual third volume of papers in the excellent series by the Entomological Society of Malta took place this evening at the sumptuous Casino Maltese in Valletta. The occasion consisted of short talks and a presentation on what is included in this journal, entitled Bullettin of the Entomological Society of Malta.

The contents of this issue are:
1) A first Maltese record of a non-pollinating wasp of Ficus sp.
2) A review of the tineid moths from Malta including the description of a new species - Euthria melitensis Gaedike & Zerafa, 2010
3) A review of the Maltese Heteroptera with seven new records
4) A survey of potentially disease-carrying mosquito species in Malta
5) A review of the weevils of the Maltese Islands with 51 new records
6) A section aimed at young entomologists

Another moth was described in the second issue of the journal from 2009; this was Stichobasis postmeridianus, shown below. Both are, as far as is known, endemic species.

Stichobasis postmeridianus Zerafa & Sammut, 2009

For information on how to obtain Volume 3 or any of the previous ones please contact:

Entomological Society of Malta
P. O. Box 9
Marsa MRS1000
Malta

Bugs!

Few arthropods have appeared on this blog so far, so here's a trio of specimens from that marvellous group known as the Coleoptera:

Ocypus olens (Müller, 1764) Għallis Point 31.X.2009

Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761) - Chadwick Lakes, 25.II.2010

Blaps gigas (Linné, 1767) - Għajn Tuffieħa 23.IX.2009

According to biologist J. B. S. Haldane, if a Creator exists he must have 'an inordinate fondness for beetles'*. Whatever one's religious persuasions (or dissuasions) are, there can hardly be any doubt about the accurate implications of his statement.

*Hutchinson, G. E., 1959. Homage to Santa Rosalia or why are there so many kinds of animals?. American Naturalist, 93: 145-159.