11 research outputs found
Regulated deficit irrigation effects seasonal changes in leaf phisiology and oil quality of Olea Europaea (cvs. Frantoio and Leccino)
No full textGrancia of Cuna: from the Complexity of the Historical Building to a Composed Knowledge for the Project
No full textThe Medieval Grange of Cuna – Siena (Italy)- Interdisciplinary Studies on Masonry Structures
No full textA team of specialist in different subject worked together with a multidisciplinary approach for the conservation of the complex of the Grange of Cuna, the administrative and storage center of the bigger farm of Santa Maria della Scala Hospital in Siena (Italy) in Middle Ages. Laser scanner surveys, archival and bibliographic researches, stratigraphic surveys, structural surveys were carried on and studied by the members of the team on the complex of 167 rooms. The results obtained by specialist approach was frequently discussed and compared in order to obtain a deeper knowledge of the complex of buildings. Structural engineer studies concerned the identification of different typologies of masonry and the structural diagnostics to mechanical characterization. Double flat jack and sonic inspection were performed on tapial adobe, brick masonry with lime and mud mortar
A preliminary check-list of the Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) of the Maltese Islands
No full textA list of 147 species of Chalcidoidea from the Maltese Islands is presented 73 of which are here reported for the first time from this territory. They belong to 15 families as follows: Agaonidae (3); Aphelinidae (20 including 3 new records); Azotidae (1 new record); Chalcididae (3 new records); Encyrtidae (23 including 13 new records); Eulophidae (35 including 19 new records); Eupelmidae (7 including 2 new records); Eurytomidae (5 including 4 new records); Leucospidae (4); Mymaridae (2); Ormyridae (1 new record); Pteromalidae (33 including 21 new records); Signiphoridae (2); Tetracampidae (1 new record); Torymidae (7 including 5 new records). Out of the 73 new records, 55 were exclusively found in Malaise trap samples at Verdala Palace near Buskett, a semi-natural wooded area dominated by Pinus halepensis. Thirty species mentioned in the present study were reared from plant-galls, either during the present study or in former studies pertaining to Malta. Of these 8 are gall inducers and the rest are primary or secondary parasitoids of the gall inducers. This list must represent only a small proportion of the actual species richness expected to be found in the Maltese Islands since absolutely no field work was carried out in other diverse and potentially rich habitats, such as steppe, garigue, maquis, coastal habitats and valley systems, present on these islands.peer-reviewe
First European interception of the brown fir longhorn beetle, Callidiellum villosulum (Fairmaire, 1900) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
No full textA specimen of the brown fir longhorn beetle, Callidiellum villosulum villosulum found in Malta represents the first record of this invasive species for Europe. Historical details on world invasion of this species are provided as well as a short description, origin and biology. A brief pest risk analysis of this species is also presented.peer-reviewe
On some arthropods associated with Ficus species (Moraceae) in the Maltese Islands
No full textAn account is given on the 39 arthropod species which were found on different Ficus trees in the Maltese Islands. Seventeen species represent new records for Malta including Anothopoda fici, Asetadiptacus emiliae, Astichus bachmaieri, Ecphylus caudatus, Empoasca alsiosa, Eupristina verticillata, Ficocyba ficaria, Gynaikothrips ficorum, Josephiella microcarpae, Philotrypesis caricae, Pleistodontes sp., Rhaphitelus maculats, Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae, Scobicia chevrieri, Silba adipata, Singhiella citrifolii and Zanchius breviceps. Anothopoda fici and Zanchius breviceps, also represent new records for the entire European territory. Of the 39 arthropods, 33 feed on Ficus trees, whereas the rest are either parasitoids or predators of some of these plant feeders. The 33 species which use Ficus as their host-plant spend most of their development on and utilise the aforementioned trees as their main source of food, at least during their larval development.peer-reviewe
The scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of the Maltese Archipelago
No full textPast works on scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from the Maltese Archipelago are reviewed. Based on the literature and contemporary collections, a total of 93 species of scale insects belonging to 12 scale insect families are here reported (Aclerdidae 1 species; Asterolecaniidae 4; Coccidae 17; Diaspididae 46; Eriococcidae 5; Kermesidae 1; Margarodidae 1; Micrococcidae 1; Monophlebidae 2; Pseudoccocidae 11; Putoidae 2 and Rhizoecidae 2). Of these, 17 species represent new distribution records. Ten species are excluded from the scale insect fauna of the Maltese Islands. Of the 93 species present, only 29 (31.18%) are probably indigenous and the rest (68.82%) represent established introductions from elsewhere. More than 65% of the indigenous species are typical Mediterranean in distribution, with a few species having a mainly European chorotype. A quarter of the established aliens originate from Eurasia, followed by an East Asian/ Oriental component (20.31%); European (14.06%); Neotropical (14.06%); cryptogenic (14.06%); African (7.81%) and Australasian (4.70%). Movement of live fruit trees and ornamental plants into the Maltese Archipelago from nearby countries is probably the main route for entry of alien scale insects into the country. Some possible future introductions are discussed.peer-reviewe
Present knowledge of the Entomofauna of the Maltese Islands
No full textThe Maltese Islands' strategic position in the centre of the Mediterranean basin and in between the Siculo Tunisian sill, always encouraged a number of foreign naturalists to visit and study their local entomofauna. A number of Maltese naturalists also contributed to such investigations. All this activity yielded a substantial amount of literature, sometimes with descriptions of possibly endemic species. Unfortunately, some of these earlier published works and those found in Maltese journals, are not easily accessible. A brief general account of the entomofauna inhabiting the Maltese Islands is provided, citing general works in which earlier citations may be found and where possible indicating lack of research on certain insect groups.peer-reviewe
