Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1497281
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 APRIL 2023 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 862. White-spotted Barbary Beetle WITH spring well under way, the white-spotted barbary beetle (M. busuf tat-tikek bojod) is showing up on flowers. I consider this de- lightful creature the hippie of the insect world: it's hairy, it spends its adult life sucking up flower power, and it's a champion of free love! These beetles don't just visit a flower, they practically belly-flop into the middle of it, getting a good dusting of pollen on their hairy coat as they feed on the scented goodness. After feeding themselves al- most comatose they often stay put right there on the flower and nod off, swaying with every breeze on their petalled platform. But the males are also on the look-out for the ladies, with whom they mate half buried among the stamens and the pollen. So next time you bend to smell a flower, keep an eye open for these lusty little lovers. Explore the Majjistral Park with Friends of the Earth and the PANCAKE project Friends of the Earth Malta invites everyone to join our nature walk for Erasmus+ Project Pancake where the official signs created by the Deaf community for local flora will be showcased. After the presentation, you will enjoy the guided walk of Majjistral Park followed by vegetarian re- freshments and snacks organised by FoEM. Each registered participant will also receive a sweet complementary nature gift from the project. Please register via the link https://foemalta.org/event/pancake-get-to- gether/ till 27th April. Remember that participants are to take care of their safety during the event. Please make sure to have sunscreen, sun- glasses, a hat, comfortable shoes and water with you. to bright yellow and purple. Victor Falzon, Desirée Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 750: Nature walk and introduction to the official signs created by the Deaf community for local flora Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation – www.foemalta.org/donate Don't miss this SPMO Wing Trio From 21 April 2023 Place: Mediterranean Conference Centre The Mediterranean Conference Centre, in collaboration with the St Paul Metropolitan Orchestra, presents Noel Beck - clarinet Alfred Fenech - oboe Peter Lyndley bassoon Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Glass & Class Wines Masterclass by Zenato Wines 23 April 2023 Place: Esplora Interactive Science Centre Glass & Class: The Wine Tasting Masterclass will be held at Esplora - Planetarium Hall. Malta's leading wine educator Aaron Rizzo will be guiding this masterclass session. During the session Aaron Rizzo will help you understand what's in that glass, what went behind it, who made it, where it came from and why it's so good. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Actress Millie Bobby Brown has announced she is engaged to Jake Bongiovi, her boyfriend of two-and- a-half years. Posting a picture of herself with Bongiovi, the 19-year-old Stranger Things star said: "I've loved you three summers now, honey, I want 'em all." S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole has died at the age of 46, weeks after the band announced a comeback tour. "It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole," a statement from his family and the pop group said. An engagement ring could be seen on her finger, and Brown added a white love heart emoji to the end of her post. He died on Thursday and the cause of his death is unknown but there are no suspicious circumstances, it said.