The Tubulifera (Hexapoda, Thysanoptera) of the Maltese Islands

This work records the presence of 13 species of tubuliferan thrips from the Maltese Islands. Eleven of these species, namely Bolothrips dentipes, B. insularis, Priesneriella mavromoustakisi, Gynaikothrips uzeli, Haplothrips acanthoscelis, H. aculeatus, H. setiger, H. tritici, Karnyothrips flavipes, Liothrips reuteri and Neoheegeria dalmatica are new records for the Maltese Islands. Two species: Gynaikothrips ficorum and Karnyothrips flavipes can be described as subcosmopolitan in distribution, another three species: Haplothrips aculeatus, H. setiger and H. tritici are distributed across the Holarctic and Palaearctic regions, while a further seven: Bolothrips dentipes, B. insularis, Haplothrips acanthoscelis, Liothrips oleae, L. reuteri, Neoheegeria dalmatica and Priesneriella mavromoustakisi have a European and/or Mediterranean distribution. Gynaikothrips ficorum and G. uzeli are considered as alien species. A key to the Tubulifera of the Maltese Islands as well as chorological data for these recorded species are provided in this work

EUROMOD update : feasibility study : Malta (Tax-Benefit Systems 2007-2010)

The purpose of this study is to examine the technical feasibility of micro-simulation model application for the analysis of impact of policy on social integration from the national as well as from the EU perspective. This is the first time that Malta’s tax-benefit system has been analysed from the angle of the main elements of this system implying the policy rules that are underlying the entitlement criteria defining them. This was an opportunity for the main players in this field to work in synergy on this vital issue: the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, in charge of social benefits, Ministry of Finance responsible for the fiscal policy and income tax system in particular, and the National Statistics Office tasked with income data collection based on the EU-SILC methodology. This Feasibility Study describes the situation as it was in year 2007 and the major changes that have taken place in 2008 and 2009 and 2010. Firstly, the study describes the main elements of the tax-benefit system namely: income, income tax brackets, capital resources and Social Security contributions. The second section of the study illustrates the main sources of data to be used for modelling purposes and also shows the examples of the calculation of income tax and social benefits. It has been agreed that the EU SILC 2008 data would be used, for income element since Malta has joined this system of data collection way back in 2005. The third section of the study firstly outlines the qualities and limitations of the input data set. This section also focuses on specificities of Malta’s data collection and possible difficulties regarding model application. The study points at the possible combinations of sample and population databases. Also, simulation possibilities have been specified for both systems separately. Finally, the non-take up of benefit and the issue of tax and benefit fraud illustrate the situation and the possible unknown element on both sides.peer-reviewe

Preliminary investigations on the thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) fauna of the Maltese Islands

Thrips constitute a small order of insects with some 6,150 described species worldwide. Some species are of economic importance mainly due to their polyphagous nature and ability to transmit plant pathogens in agricultural crops. No surveys have ever been conducted in the Maltese Islands which specifically focus on the biodiversity of Thysanoptera. The current study attempts to determine which thrips occur both in the natural habitats and in the agro-ecosytems of the Maltese Islands.peer-reviewe

The Terebrantia (Insecta: Thysanoptera) of the Maltese Islands

Thirty-nine species of terebrantian Thysanoptera belonging to four families and 22 genera are here recorded from the Maltese Islands. Of these, 33 represent new records to this archipelago. Thrips were collected from 65 different locations over a seven-year period, covering the main habitat types found across the Maltese Islands, namely steppe, garigue, maquis and woodland, but also sand dunes and saltmarshes as well as roadsides, private and public gardens, greenhouses and cultivated fields. An illustrated dichotomous key to identify the Terebrantia of the Maltese Islands is presented. Chorological data for the species researched in the current study shows that the majority of these insects are of a European Mediterranean origin, though the geographical distribution of some of them extends to Africa and the Middle East. Seven species associated with agricultural commodities were found to be of alien origin; however they were locally found in small numbers and do not pose a threat to horticulture