A female Migrant Hawker (Sultan Rari) laying her eggs. Photos: Godwin Degabriele

For the sixth year running, Malta’s Entomological Society has launch­ed its annual bulletin in the form of a fully illustrated scientific journal (Volume 6, 2013).

It includes information on some 40 insects that inhabit these islands, eight of which are recorded for the very first time. The research studies published in the journal were submitted by local and foreign specialists and peer-reviewed by entomologists in the US and six European countries. Evaluation by foreign experts on insects lends authority to the publications.

The cover of this year’s issue is graced by a pair of mating Red-veined Darter (Nomad) dragonflies delicately captured in a photo taken by Charles Gauci.

As an indication of the subject’s vastness, acquired local knowledge of known dragonflies encountered on these islands makes up the greater part of this year’s publication, which is dedicated to the Odonata species. This order of carnivorous insects encompasses both dragonflies and damselflies.

After studying them for over 20 years, Godwin Degabriele, a senior lecturer at the University’s Junior College, divulges everything he knows about these fascinating insects in 100 pages.

A number of recent scientific studies have shown that these fascinating insects can be beneficial to humans

In Degabriele’s work, much information is presented on how to identify dragonflies at larval and adult stage, their ecology and how they can be better protected. Although relatively easy to observe, dragonflies have until now not been extensively studied in the Maltese islands.

Well adapted to a predatory lifestyle, with a body designed for efficient capture of prey in mid-air, their favourite habitats are rural and urban freshwater streams, valley mouths and open grassy areas near valleys.

Seventeen species of odonates (often going by the local nickname of ‘helikopter’) have been recorded in the Maltese islands, with the latest species being found in August 2013. This recent addition to the list, the Wandering Glider (also known as Globe Skimmer) can travel great distances and is found all around the world. (Incidentally, this species is famed for being the first dragonfly to settle back on Bikini Atoll after nuclear tests on the Pacific reef post World War II).

Because of the scarcity of freshwater habitats on Malta and Gozo, a number of local odonate species are also known to breed in brackish water. Dragonflies and damselflies frequently grace ponds in public and private gardens. They are partial to open water reservoirs built by farmers for irrigation, although the larvae of these winged predators often themselves fall prey to fish placed in these ponds.

As recorded by Riservato et al (2009), some southern Mediterranean countries, including Malta, are using more than their renewable water resources. Such practices are counter-productive to dragonfly and damselfly species as they may not allow time for larvae to complete their life cycle.

Rapid local urbanisation and reclaiming of natural land for agricultural practices on a group of insects that could play an important role in monitoring climate change.

A number of recent scientific studies have shown that these fascinating insects can be beneficial to humans. One such study mentions the larvae of a South-East Asian dragonfly, closely related to the Broad Scarlet dragonfly found here, acting as an effective measure to control numbers of yellow fever and dengue fever mosquitos. So far, no studies have been carried out to identify a predator-prey relationship between dragonflies and the Asian Tiger mosquito, a recently introduced alien on these islands.

Records in the Mediterranean region show that over the past 10 years, heat-loving odonates, mostly natives of Africa and the Middle East, have been extending their distribution northwards towards Europe.

Widely studied and collected in Malta from the 1960s, a decline in interest in dragonflies and damselflies was noted over the past two decades. Degabriele puts this down to lack of exposure of younger generations to the natural environment:

“Recent progressive degradation of the Maltese countryside owing to rapid urban development… may have resulted in younger generations showing less inclination toward knowing more about natural habitats surrounding them.”

Moving on to other types of insect species, the journal presents research results on a group of insects in the wasp family, which are beneficial as natural enemies of crop pests such as aphids.

The need is also highlighted for stricter quarantine regulations over insect pests such as the Asian longhorn beetle, intercepted with imported wood. If the establishment of these alien species takes place in Malta, its damage can be of economic significance.

The last section of the book is dedicated to ‘The Young Entomologist’, with short articles on Maltese insects accompanied by beautiful photographs. The section includes information on four species, the Clouded Yellow butterfly, Melon ladybird beetle and Mediterranean fruit fly.

Also featured here is a jumpy species of springtail, fond of leaf litter or mushrooms in humid gardens. Of the 42 species of springtail recorded locally, five are thought to be endemic (found nowhere else in the world).

Anyone who comes across David Mifsud, the bulletin’s editor and society president, will find themselves touched by a great enthusiasm for the insect world.

Expressing great satisfaction with another year’s crop of contributions, Dr Mifsud points out:

“The society is rightly proud that from nothing it has managed to build a reputation in this field of science and reach international standards.”

The Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Malta is establishing itself as a solid platform for both local and foreign entomologists to publish their results, especially on studies carried out in the Maltese islands.

Through its yearly publications the society has so far provided detailed information on more than 1,200 different species of insects that inhabit the Maltese islands. Of these, 335 were previously not known to exist locally, mainly because of lack of specialised studies, while the discovery of two species of moths on these islands, des­cribed in this journal, proved to be entirely new to science.

This society is contributing enormously in an educational role as it continues to reveal the unique biodiversity present in the Maltese archipelago.

To obtain a hard copy of The Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Malta, e-mail david.a.mifsud@um.edu.mt.