New distributional data on sandflies from rubble walls in the Maltese Islands with an illustrated key to the Maltese species (Diptera: Phlebotominae)

The results of a survey which involved collecting phlebotomine sandflies in rubble walls from 20 different localities on the islands of Malta and Gozo in the period from August to October 2008 are reported. A total of 402 specimens were collected, all belonging to two species: Sergentomyia minuta and Phlebotomus perniciosus. A short diagnosis, and notes on the biology of the six species of sandflies recorded from the islands is given, together with an illustrated key to their identification.peer-reviewe