The Bark Beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) of the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean)

Abstract

The bark beetle fauna of the Maltese Islands is reviewed, based on literature records and examination of collected material. A total of twenty-one species have been recorded of which seventeen species represent new records from the Maltese archipelago. These include Hylurgus micklitzi, Kissophagus hederae, Phloeosinus thujae, Liparthrum mori, Scolytus amygdali, Scolytus rugulosus, Scolytus sulcifrons, Pityogenes calcaratus, Orthotomicus erosus, Thamnurgus characiae, Coccotrypes dactyliperda, Crypturgus cylindricollis, Crypturgus numidicus, Xyleborinus saxesenii, Hypocryphalus scabricollis comb. nov., Hypothenemus eruditus and Hypothenemus leprieuri. The earlier citation of Scolytus scolytus is incorrect and should refer to S. sulcifrons whereas the citation of Cryphalus piceae is definitely incorrect due to the absence of its host-plants in Malta. Additionally, two species, Xyleborus ferrugineus and X. volvulus were collected alive on logs originating from Tropical Africa and intended for the timber industry. So far, there were no local records of establishment of these two species in Malta.