Observations on the life history of Synclisis baetica Rambur 1842 (Neuroptera : Myrmeleontidae) at the Ramla l-Hamra sand dunes in Gozo (Malta, Central Mediterranean)

Abstract

Although the neuropteran species Synclisis baetica was recorded in the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean) way back in 1996, and is the largest neuropteran species on the Islands, no research on the local ecology of this species has ever been conducted. This study summarises the observations on the behaviour of the species made in the wild within the sand dune remnants of Ir-Ramla l-摩amra (Gozo, Maltese Islands) over the 2003-2009 period, as well as observations on the life cycle of the same species made on a number of captive-bred individuals.