The Scarabaeoidea of the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean) (Coleoptera)

Abstract

The Scarabaeoidea of the families Trogidae, Geotrupidae, Hybosoridae and Scarabaeidae from the Maltese islands are reviewed. A total of 54 species are included of which the following eight species represent new records for this archipelago: Trox fabricii and T. scaber in Trogidae; Aphodius beduinus, A. algiricus, Amphimallon (?) scutellare, Aplidia hirticollis, Protaetia opaca and Lasiotrichius succinctus in Scarabaeidae. Of these, the record of Aplidia hirticollis, previously endemic to southern Italy, extends its distributional range further south and that of Lasiotrichius succinctus is based on intercepted material and its local establishment is not confi rmed. A number of species are based on old records and were not collected again recently pointing out to the possible extinction of these species from Malta. The almost complete absence of grazing animals in Malta may have contributed substantially for the disappearance of species associated with animal dung. Thirteen previously recorded species of Scarabaeoidea from Malta are being excluded from the Maltese fauna.