Prostemma (Prostemma) guttula asiaticum Kerzhner, 1968

(Figs. 1, 3, 5–6, 15, 31, 46–47, 63)

Material examined. ISRAEL: Har Hermon, Man Valley [Marg' Man, Hermon], faunistics (1♀); Bab el Hawa, 2.viii.1979, P. Amitai (1♀), 23.vi.1981, faunistics (1♀); Khushnīya [Golan, Hushnye], 25.xii.1973 (1♀); Nahal 'Iyyon Nature Reserve [haTanur], 21.iii.1974, D. Furth (1♀); Sasa, 7.v.1976, J. Kugler (1♂); Haifa, 4.xii.1945, H. Bytinski-Salz (1♂); Karmel, Hawwat Maqura, 21.i.1984, E. Shney-Dor (1♀); Zikhron Ya'aqov [Zichron Y.], 20.i.1975 (1♂); Gan Shemu`el [Gan-Shmuel], 29.viii.1971, M. Tintepulver (1♀); Nahal Poleg [Wadi Falik], 7.iii.1962, J. Kugler (1♂); Sidna 'Ali Mosque, North to Herzliyya, sea shore [Sidni-Ali], 14.ii.1972, G. Tsabar (1♀); Savyon [Savion], 12.iii.1982, Y. Zvik (1♂), 19.vi.1982, Y. Zvik (1♀); Nahal Peza`el, 17.vii.1983, Y. Zvik (1♀); Tel Aviv, 14.ii.1945, H. Bytinski-Salz (1♀); Ramat Gan, Bar Ilan University [Bar-Ailan], 15.v.1981, Y. Zvik (1♀); Giv'at Koah, 23.ii.1972, Y. Zvik (1♀); Ganne Yehuda [Ganey Yehuda], 21.iii.1982, Y. Zvik (2♀); Holon, 5.iii.1958, Ch. Levinsohn (1♂); 21.ii.1958 (1♂); Bet 'Oved [Beit Oved], 21.ii.1958, R. Rosin (1♂); Ben Shemen, 4.ii.1984, S. Eliav (1♀); Latrun, 20.iii.1982, E. Shney-Dor (1♀); Alon Shevut [Alon-Shvut], 11.xi.1981, Y. Zvik (1♀); 'En Hemed [Aqua Bella], 10.v.1950, J. Wahrman (1♀); Yerushalayim [Jerusalem], 2.ii.1976, S. Blondheim (1♀), 12.v.1976, P. Amitai (1♂), 5.iv.1989, L. Orlev (1♂); Sha'alvim [Sha`albim], 21.ii.1981, E. Shney-Dor (1♂); Qiryat Gat [Kiriat-Gat], 4.v.1982, Y. Zvik (1 fifth instar); Ziqim, 9.i.1978, G. Levy (1♀).

Distribution. Palaearctic. Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Central Asia. General distribution in Israel: Fig. 63.

Previous records. Bodenheimer, 1937:205 (“ Palestine ”, as Prostema guttula (Fabricius)); Linnavuori, 1961:37 (Zichron), 1973: 48 (Bet Oved); Kerzhner, 1981:103 (Jerusalem).

Biology. This species occurs in dry open areas on the soil surface under rocks and bushes. It was observed feeding on larvae and adults of Sphragisticus nebulosus Fall. ( Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), and in the laboratory preferred Alydus calcaratus, Aellopus atratus, Beosus maritimus, and Lygus pratensis ( Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), but accepted also flies and beetles (Kerzhner, 1981).

Comments. The male genitalia of Prostema guttula in Israeli specimens fit those of the subspecies asiaticum Kerzhner. Paramere laterally smoothly rounded, without any protrusion (Figs. 15–16). Phallus: Fig. 31.