Species spotlight II

Truncatellina callicratis (Scacchi, 1833)
Lunzjata, Malta

Truncatellina callicratis (Scacchi, 1833) is the smallest landsnail in Malta and the only recent representative of its family, the Vertiginidae. Never exceeding 2mm in length, it is found in large (though localized) populations in leaf litter of trees such as Ceratonia siliqua (Carob Tree/ Ħarruba), such as the one below in Lunzjata, Rabat:

The species is probably under-recorded due to its small size and habitat restrictions.

Shell identification

• about 2mm
• about as twice long as it is wide
• compact cylindrical shape

Species spotlight I

Ferussacia folliculum (Gmelin, 1791)
Munxar, Għawdex

Ferussacia folliculum (Gmelin, 1791) is a common tiny snail which lives in a variety of habitats, as long as sufficient cover from the sun's heat is present. It is usually found in moderate to large-sized populations, such as the one composed completely of juvenile individuals, as shown below (photo taken in Pembroke, Malta):

The shell is brown and quite glossy. The yellowish colour visible in the above picture is imparted by the snail's foot, as is shown better thanks to the 'one that got away':

Shell identification

• glossy brown shell
• transparent when fresh
• large last whorl
• tall and pointed
• relatively thick shell
• tooth at the base of aperture

Scales in stone

From the 12th of this December to the 16th of January 2011, Heritage Malta is organizing an exhibition on fossil fish from the Maltese Islands at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Mdina.

Such remains are of high importance, both palaeontologically and historically, being featured in several scientific publications including palaeoecological studies and new taxonomic descriptions. Most are also extremely rare, with fragile bones that do not fossilize easily.

To whet appetites, here's a taster of what the NMNH collection of fossil fish includes:

Stereodon melitensis Owen, 1864

Myliobates sp.

Holocentrum melitense Woodward, 1887

Best wishes for 2011

Islands of the Maltese Archipelago - Part I

Filfla

Southermost island of the Maltese Archipelago

General's Rock

Westernmost island of the Maltese Archipelago

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