Notes on the subspecies of Ronisia barbara (Hymenoptera : Mutillidae) in the Maltese Islands

Abstract

Ronisia barbara occurs as two distinct subspecies in the Maltese Islands. R. b. barbara, previously thought to occur only in Gozo and Camino, is here reported fo~ the first time from Malta where it has been found at the northern tip of Marfa Ridge. The second subspecies, R. b. brutia occurs south of this locality. Males of R. barbara identical to the subspecies R. b. torosa were observed in close prox- imity with female R. b. orutia and possibly courting them. On this and other evidence it is suggested that R. b. torosa is actually the male of R. b. brutia. The latter name has precedence.