Insects make the world go round. They pollinate flowers and crops yet gobble them up at the same time. There are over one million species worldwide with 6,000 to 8,000 of them found on the Maltese Islands. Among those, David Mifsud (Institute of Earth System, University of Malta), has just discovered a new species.

Dr Mifsud’s love for insects began at an early age. As part of his doctorate, he revised 30 new species from South East Asia and the African Tropical Region. Since then his research has never stopped. His latest discovery is the gall midge (Asphodylia scopuli) that causes pea-like growths on an endemic saltbush plant.

Another interesting species identified from Dr Mifsud’s field sample is the asexually reproducing booklouse (Peripsocus stagnivagus). The eggs produced do not need to be fertilised and are normally all females, but the finding of a male in Malta linked the species to that found in the Palearctic and the new world.

Apart from the latest discovery, Dr Mifsud has also described around 1,800 insect species. He did this by gathering samples of the insects and then identifying them according to their distinguishing characteristics. For this, a key, which is a tool that can be used to identify species, is usually used. The process of identification can be difficult as with some species little is known.

Insects are vital to safeguard nature since they pollinate flowers and crops, control pests, and consume waste material. Insects are the most abundant animal on the Maltese islands. Failing to study and understand this group would leave a big gap in understanding the local environment.

Without understanding, saving our environment would be even harder. This research also gives better understanding of how the species interacts with other animals, also vital to under-stand environmental impact – knowledge is key.

For more info read the in-depth feature in Think magazine: www.um.edu.mt/think/insects-taking-over

Fun facts

• Scientists finally concluded that the chicken came first, not the egg, because the protein which makes egg shells is only produced by hens.

• Approximately only 3-5 per cent of mammals are considered monogamous, compared to about 90 per cent of birds

• Hummingbirds are the only birds known to be able to fly both forward and backwards.

• Cockroaches can survive after having their head decapitated for weeks.

• Dyslexia is not limited to visual reading. Blind dyslexics are also affected when reading braille.

For more trivia see: www.um.edu.mt/think

Sound bites

• In a study at the Imperial College of London scientists are using a computer program, the musical tastes of 7,000 people and Darwin’s theory of evolution, to create the perfect pop tune. They are studying whether cultural changes in language, art and music evolved through Darwinian natural selection, in a similar way to how living things evolved.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120618153716.htm

• Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are studying how we can turn sewage into biocrude oil, achieving in minutes what would take Mother Nature millions of years while powering our future homes.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161102134504.htm

• Scientists at Cardiff University are researching how deep-sea waves can be used to dissipate tsunami energy, preventing disaster from striking before it is too late.

www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-01/cu-rpn012517.php

• For more soundbites, listen to Radio Mocha on Radju Malta 2 every Monday at 1pm, Friday at 6pm www.facebook.com/RadioMochaMalta/