Piochardia oberthuri (FAUVEL 1878)

Assing, V., Schülke, M., M. R & A. S, 2013, On the Staphylinidae of Saudi Arabia, with descriptions of two new species (Insecta: Coleoptera), Linzer biologische Beiträge 45 (1), pp. 141-154 : 143-144

Piochardia oberthuri (FAUVEL 1878)

Material examined: Saudi Arabia: 1♀, Khamis Mushayt, W Ben Hashbal, 18°35'41''N, 42°39'01''E, 1890 m, 26.IV.2011, leg. Sharaf ( cAss).

Comment: Species of Piochardia HEYDEN 1870 are associated with ants of the genus Cataglyphis FÖRSTER. The previously known distribution of P. oberthuri was confined to North Africa from Algeria in the west to Libya in the east ( ASSING 1999). The above specimen considerably expands the distribution towards the east. It was found in association with Cataglyphis holgerseni COLLINGWOOD & AGOSTI 1996 (det. Sharaf). The nest was built in sandy dry soil under a large rock.