Abstract
Here we report the first distribution record of the genus Micromeriella Betrem, 1972 (Hymenoptera, Scoliidae) from the archipelago of Malta, based on two specimens of Micromeriella aurolea (Klug, 1832) collected from the island of Gozo. Although this species is relatively well distributed in the Afrotropical and Palaearctic regions, we extend its distribution to the central Mediterranean islands. Molecular barcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was conducted and compared with the known COI sequences of the genus to confirm the identification of the species.
Highlights
The family Scoliidae comprises 560 valid species of wasps belonging to 43 genera (Osten 2005a), commonly known as hairy wasps
Molecular barcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was conducted and compared with the known COI sequences of the genus to confirm the identification of the species
Species of scoliid wasps currently known in Malta include: Campsomeriella thoracica thoracica (Fabricius, 1787); Dasyscolia ciliata ciliata (Fabricius, 1787); Megascolia bidens (Fabricius, 1775); Megascolia flavifrons (Fabricius, 1775); Scolia hirta unifasciata (Cyirillo, 1787); and Scolia sexmaculata sexmaculata (Müller, 1766) (Osten 1994; Sultana and Falzon 2002; Samin et al 2014; Demetriou et al 2021)
Summary
The family Scoliidae comprises 560 valid species of wasps belonging to 43 genera (Osten 2005a), commonly known as hairy wasps. Most of these medium-sized to large wasps exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males usually having longer antennae and a more slender elongated abdomen than their female counterparts (Osten 2000; Osten 2005a; Kim 2009; Nidup 2017). We report the first record of Micromeriella from Malta, using both morphological and genetic characters
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
