Sunius melanocephalus ( FABRICIUS 1793)

Assing, V. & A, North, 2008, A revision of the Sunius species of the Western Palaearctic region and Middle Asia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 40 (1), pp. 5-135 : 14-19

4.1. Sunius melanocephalus ( FABRICIUS 1793)

4.1.1. Sunius melanocephalus melanocephalus ( FABRICIUS 1793) ( Fig. 2 , Map 2-3 )

Paederus melanocephalus FABRICIUS 1793: 538 .

Lithocharis affinis KRAATZ 1859: 142 ; synonymy confirmed.

Hypomedon armeniacus COIFFAIT 1970: 718 ff.; nov.syn.

T y p e m a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d L. affinis : Holotype 3: "3 / 90 / India oriental. / affinis / Holotypus / coll. Kraatz / coll. DEI Müncheberg / Sunius melanocephalus (Fabricius) det. V. Assing 2007" ( DEI).

H. armeniacus: Holotype 3: "[locality in Cyrillic], 11.5.52 / Holotype / Hypomedon armeniacus Coiff., H. Coiffait det. 1968 / Museum Paris / Sunius melanocephalus (Fabricius) det. V. Assing 2007" ( MNHNP) . Paratype ♀: "[locality in Cyrillic], 6.6.58 / Paratype / Museum Paris / Sunius melanocephalus (Fabricius) det. V. Assing 2007" (MNHNP).

C o m m e n t s: Lithocharis affinis was described from a single specimen from " India orientalis" ( KRAATZ 1859), which at that time covered a vast area in southeast Asia. The holotype is conspecific with S. melanocephalus , so that the previously established synonymy is here confirmed.

The original description of Hypomedon armeniacus is based on a holotype male from " Erevan, Arménie soviétique" and two female paratypes from "Azizbekof, Arménie soviétique" ( COIFFAIT 1970). Since both the sexual and the external characters of the holotype are within the range of intraspecific variation of S. melanocephalus , S. armeniacus is here placed in the synonymy of this name. A d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d Spain: C a t a l u ñ a 1 ex., Gerona, La

Junquera, 30.XI.1961, leg. Comellini (cAss). France: A q u i t a i n e: 2 ex., Gironde, Cavignac,

11.IV.1937, leg. Tempère ( MHNG) ; 2 exs., Gironde, Camarsac, 18.II.1928, leg. Tempère (cAss); 1

ex., Gironde, Cussac [45°07'N, 0°44'W], 30.III.1930, leg. Tempère ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., same data, but

13.III.1937 ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., same data, but 20.III.1930 ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Gironde, Talence, XI.1935,

leg. Tempère ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Gironde, Cambes, 11.VIII.1937, leg. Tempère ( MHNG) ; 1 ex.,

Gironde, locality illegible, 9.IV.1928, leg. Tempère (MHNG). Î l e - d e - F r a n c e: 1 ex.,

Gagny (MHNG). M i d i - P y r é n é e s: 1 ex. [macropterous], Gers, Samatan, leg. Clermont

(cAss). P i c a r d i e: 1 ex., Oise, 30 km S Amiens, Mont-Saint-Firmin ["Mesnil St. Firmin"]

(MHNG). C e n t r e: 1 ex., Loire-et-Cher, Vendôme ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Cher, La Périsse

(MHNG); 1 ex., Indre-et-Loire, Le Grand-Pressigny ( MHNG). A u v e r g n e: 2 exs., Allier ,

Broût-Vernet (MHNG); 1 ex., Broût-Vernet, 9.IV.1909 ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Broût-Vernet, 23.VII.1909

(MHNG); 1 ex., Broût-Vernet, Formica nest, 21.XII.1883 ( MHNG). B o u r g o g n e: 1ex. ,

Arces [48°05'N, 3°36'E], beneath apple tree, 15.III.1969, leg. Tronquet (cTro).

C h a m p a g n e - L o r r a i n e: 1 ex., Vosges, Plombières-les-Bains (MHNG).

A r d e n n e: 3 exs., Haute-Marne, Chevillon, 5.IV.1904, leg. Méquignon (MHNG).

R h ô n e - A l p e s: 1ex.,Haute-Savoie,Chevrier,volenest, III.2000, leg. Sudre (cTro); 1 ex.,

Haute-Savoie, Monnetier-Mornex, 16.IV.1962, leg. Comellini ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Haute-Savoie,

Murcier near Savigny , 11.III.1961, leg. Comellini ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Isère , Vienne ( MHNG) ; 2 exs.,

Col du Drôme, 8 km S Die, 1140 m, 22.V.1974, leg. Tronquet (cTro). P r o v e n c e: 1 ex.,

Alpes-Maritimes, Caussols near Grasse (MHNG); 1 ex., Alpes-Maritimes, Beuil, IV.1951

(MHNG). Switzerland: V a u d: 2 exs., Peney-le-Jorat ( MHNG). Germany: N o r d r h e i n - W e s t f a l e n: 1 ex., Rommerskirchen , 27.VI.1985, leg. Köhler (cKöh) ; 1 ex., Pulheim- Sinnersdorf , 9.VII.1985, leg. Köhler (cKöh) ; 2 exs., same data, but 6.VIII.1986, leg. Köhler (cKöh) ; 1 ex., Euskirchen, Kirchheim , 2.V.1988, leg. Köhler (cKöh) ; 1 ex., Euskirchen, Holzheim, Lambertsberg , 31.III.1991, leg. Fritz & Köhler (cKöh) ; 1 ex., same data, but 11.IV.1992 (cKöh) ; 1 ex., Warburg , 29.V.1980, leg. Renner (cRen) ; 1 ex., Paderborn env., Hamborn , mesobrometum, 15. V. 2004, leg. Feldmann (cFel) ; 1 ex., Marsberg, Dahlberg , mesobrometum, pitfall, V.1993, leg. Lückmann (cFel) ; 1 ex., Marsberg, Kregenberg, mesobrometum, pitfall, VII.1993, leg. Lückmann (cFel). H e s s e n: 1 ex., Marburg , Rauschenberg , 12.IV.1986, leg. Köhler (cKöh) ; 1 ex., Schlüchtern , 15.VI.1993, leg. Sprick (cAss) ; 1 ex., Hofgeismar, leg. Folwaczny ( MHNG). N i e d e r s a c h s e n [seealsoASSING (1994)]: 1 ex., Hildesheim, Himmelsthür , Gallberg , mesobrometum, 20.IV.1983. leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Lüchow env., Schreyan , salt pit, 21.V.1988, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., same locality, 25.V.1991, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Gartow , oak litter, 25.V.1991, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Helmstedt env., Heeseberg , 31.VIII.1991, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 2 exs. [teneral], Göttingen, Roringen , under stones, 5.X.1989, leg. Sprick (cAss) ; 1 ex., Hannover, Linden, bank of Leine river , flood debris, 14.I.1994, leg. Schmidt (cAss) ; 1 ex., Hannover, Ahlem , 8.V.1994, leg. Sprick (cAss) ; 1 ex., W Hannover, Bad Nenndorf , compost, 6.V.1984, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Bad Nenndorf , garden, circus dung, 1.V.1990, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Bad Nenndorf , garden, compost, 23.III.1991, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 3 exs., Bad Nenndorf , garden, pitfall, IX.1987, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but XI.1987 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but XII.1987 (cAss) ; 2 exs., same data, but IV.1988 (cAss) ; 6 exs., SE Hameln, Düt [52°06'N, 09°25'E], pitfall, IV.1988, leg. Sprick (cAss) ; 3 exs., same data, but V.1988 (cAss) ; 3 exs. [1♀ with eggs in ovaries], same data, but VI.1988 (cAss) ; 1 ex. [teneral], same data, but VII.1988 (cAss) ; 2 exs., same data, but VIII.1988 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but IX.1988 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but X.1988 (cAss) ; 3 exs., Alfeld / Leine env., Wrisbergholzen , Ortsberg , mesobrometum, pitfall, IV.1985, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 2 exs., same data, but V.1985 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but VI.1985 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but VII.1985 (cAss) ; 3 exs. [1 teneral], same data, but VIII.1985 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but IX.1985 (cAss) ; 4 exs. [1 teneral], same data, but X.1985 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but II.1986 (cAss) ; 2 exs., same data, but V.1986 (cAss) ; 3 exs., same data, but VI.1986 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but VIII.1986 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but X.1986 (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but IV.1987 (cAss). S a c h s e n - A n h a l t: 1 ex., Lkrs. Wittenberg, Gallin, bank of Elbe river , flood debris, 12.III.2000, leg. Schülke (cSch) ; 1 ex. [brachypterous], Kyffhäuser, Schlachtberg [51°22'N, 11°06'E], sweep-net, 24.VII.1992, leg. Peschel (cSch) ; 1 ex., same locality, pitfall trap, 15.V.1989, leg. Peschel (cSch) ; 1 ex., same locality, 10.IV.1992, leg. Peschel (cSch) ; 1 ex., Halle, Dörstewitz , field margin, 30.V.1996, leg. Sprick (cAss) ; 1 ex., Gimritz , dry grassland, pitfall, IV.1993, leg. Teichmann (cFel) ; 1 ex., same data, but V.1993 (cFel). B r a n d e n b u r g / B e r l i n: 3 exs., N Podelzig, Priesterschlucht , X.2005, leg. Schülke (cSch) ; 1 ex., Eisenhüttenstadt , 26.III.1989, leg. Pütz (cSch) ; 1 ex., S Martinskirchen, dry litter beneath Carpinus, 20.V.2006, leg. Wrase (cSch). T h ü r i n g e n: 1 ex., Gotha env., Mühlberg , pasture, 7.X.1994, leg. Renner (cRen) ; 1 ex., Kreis Arnstadt, Wachsenburg, nest of Formica pratensis, 23.V.1986, leg. Schülke (cSch) ; 1 ex., S Jena, Bibra , 8.VII.1989, leg. Peschel (cSch) ; 1 ex., Jena env., limestone, 23.XII.1984, leg. Arndt (cSch) ; 1 ex., Gera, park, pitfall trap, 8.V.1983, leg. Hensel (cSch). S a c h s e n: 1 ex., Oederan , 18.III.1906, leg. Cohrs ( DEI) ; 1 ex., Mittweida , 25.III.1982, leg. Schülke (cSch). Austria: O b e r ö s t e r r e i c h: 1 ex., Volkersdorf, Hochleitenwald, leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 1 ex., Altmünster , 31.V.1951, leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 1 ex., Traumauen, leg. Franz (cAss). N i e d e r ö s t e r r e i c h / W i e n: 4 ex., Moosbrunn, Jesuitenbach, leg. Beier & Franz ( NHMW, cAss) ; 1 ex., Moosbrunn , 26.II.1953, leg. Schubert (cAss) ; 2 exs., Mödling env., leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 3 exs., Ebreichsdorf, leg. Beier & Franz ( NHMW) ; 4 exs., SW Wien, Eichkogel, leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 1 ex., Wien, Prater ( NHMW) ; 1 ex., Wien env., leg. Reitter ( HNHM). S t e i e r m a r k: 1 ex., Bründi near Graz , 28.III.1930 ( NHMW) ; 1 ex., Fürstenfeld, Gross- Hardt, leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 1 ex., Hartberg, Ringkogel, leg. Franz ( NHMW)). K ä r n t e n: 1 ex., St. Radegund, leg. Beszédes ( HNHM). B u r g e n l a n d: 1 ex., Leithagebirge, Zeilerberg , 30.VIII.1985, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 1 ex., Zeilerberg , 26.VI.1988, leg. Hirgstetter (cAss) ; 1 ex., Leithagebirge, leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 1 ex., Leithagebirge, Purbach, leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 3 exs., Leithagebirge, Wimpassing, leg. Franz ( NHMW, cAss) ; 1 ex., Nickelsdorf, leg. Franz ( NHMW) ; 3 exs., Zurndorfer Heide , 27.VIII.1985, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 7 exs., Zurndorf, leg. Franz ( NHMW, cAss) ; 1 ex., Zurndorf , 30.VIII.1988 (cAss) ; 1 ex., Neusiedlersee, Breitenbrunn, Naturschutzgebiet "Lerchenfeld", 28.VIII.1988 (cAss) ; 1 ex., Andau , 2.IX.1988, leg. Melber (cAss) ; 1 ex., sand pit near Podersdorf , 18.VI.1987, leg Köhler (cKöh) ; 2 exs., Illmitz ( MHNG). Italy: T r e n t i n o - A l t o A d i g e: 1 ex., S Bolzano, Ora , 11.VI.1989, leg. Wunderle (cWun) ; 1 ex., Smarano, 1000 m, Prunus litter, 8.VIII.1974, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., Sfruz ( TN), 1000 m, 21.VIII.1989, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., Roncegno ( TN), 500 m, swamp, alnetum, 9.II.1997, leg. Tagliapietra & Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., Novaledo, 450 m, Talpa nest, 9.II.1997, leg. Tagliapietra & Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., Val Sugana ( TN), Inghiaie, base of Salix , 16.IX.1992 (cZan). P i e m o n t e: 1 ex., Garessio , 20.VII.1895, leg. Fiori ( MNHUB). L i g u r i a: 1 ex., Genova, 12.V.1891, leg. Bensa ( MNHUB). L o m b a r d i a: 1 ex., Milano , 23.X.1938, leg. Magistretti ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Bereguardo , III.1913, leg. Magistretti ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Sondrio, M. Vespolo , 700-800 m, 20.V.1953, leg. Dioli (cZan) ; 2 exs., Sondrio, Grumello , 24.III.1973, leg. Dioli (cZan) ; 1 ex., Sondrio, Colorina , 4.IV.1972, leg. Dioli (cZan) ; 1 ex., Sondrio, prati di Val Valeriana , 7.III.1967, leg. Dioli (cZan). V e n e t o: 10 exs., Trezzolano ( VR), 26.XII.1972, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., Feltre , 1.V.1973, leg. Villabruno (cZan) ; 2 exs., Feltre, Anzù, 240 m, Talpa nest, 11.I.1998, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex. [with worker of Camponotus sp. attached to the same pin], Verona , periferia sud, 21.I.1970, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., Verona , stadio, 12.IX.1972, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., same locality, 17.X.1970, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 17 exs., Verona, stadio, with Lasius fuliginosus, 23.I.1975, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 2 exs., same data, but in Salix litter (cZan) ; 1 ex., Verona, Spianà, base of Populus , 20.II.1994, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex. [teneral], Verona, Dolce Peri , 25.IX.1969, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., S. Michele ( VR), base of Salix , 31.III.1975, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., San Martino Buon Albergo ( VR), base of Salix , 28.II.1991, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., S Isola della Scala ( VR), Pellegrina , 3.II.1980, leg. Zanetti (cZan) ; 1 ex., Treviso, Mte. Grappa, 1600 m, 21.IV.1987, leg. Wolf (cSch). F r i u l i - V e n e z i a G i u l i a: 1 ex., Opicina [45°41'N, 13°47'E], 15.IX.1960, leg. Seriani (cZan). E m i l i a - R o m a g n a: 2exs.,locality illegible, III.1927, leg. Fiori ( MNHUB). T o s c a n a: 1 ex., Passo della Raticosa [ca. 44°09'N, 11°19'E], leg. Castellini (cTro). A b r u z z i: 4 exs. [1 teneral], L'Aquila, Monte Tranquillo [ca. 41°45'N, 13°45'E], 1300-1400 m, VIII.1975, leg. Dioli & Vigna (cZan) ; 1 ex., Pescasseroli ( AQ), VIII.1975, leg. Dioli (cZan). Czech Republic: 1 ex., Praha, leg. Lokay ( HNHM) ; 2 exs., W Práha, Radotinské údoli, 30.V.1996, leg. Assing (cAss) ; 2 ex., Praha-oholi , VI.1939, leg. Pfaffav (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Česke Budějovice, Hlubocké Obory Natural Reserve , 27.V.2006, leg. Tronquet (cTro) ; 1 ex., Bohemia, Čelákovice , 30.XI.1970, leg. Boháč (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Čelákovice , 4.III.1962, leg. Tichý (cBoh) ; 1 ex., same data, but 30.X.1970 (cBoh) ; 2 exs., Bohemia, Shon (Temelín), Formica nest, 21.II.1994, leg. Holub (cBoh) ; 3 exs., Bohemia, Nemcice, Male Chrastany, Formica nest, III.1994, leg. Snizek (cBoh) ; 3 exs., Bezděkov , VI.1971, leg. Mařik (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Žatec , 6.V.1971, leg. Boháč (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Kral.-Hradecko, Janovec , X.1945, leg. Roubal (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Most, Bečov [ca. 50°57'N, 13°41'E], 11.IV.2002, leg. Wrase (cSch) ; Česke Stredohori, 1 ex., Paskov, leg. Reitter ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Hostivice , VII.1952 ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Svarec near Nedvedice , 5.IV.1995, leg. Prudek & Drozd (cSch) ; 1 ex., Vinařice (cSch); 2 exs., Hlubočepy [50°02'N, 14°24'E] (cSch) ; 1 ex., S-Moravia, Mikulov, Talpa nest, 23.II.1961, leg. Smetana (cSme) ; 1 ex., Moravia, Lednice , 7.I.1973, leg. Boháč (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Moravia, Hulín , 6.III.1938 (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Lovoš [50°32'N, 14°01'E], 23.V.1963 (cBoh). Slovakia: 1 ex., Bratislava , 13.III.1974, leg. Strejček (cBoh) ; 2 exs., Kosiče- Barca, 16.X.2002, leg. Smatana (cSch), 2 exs., Kosiče env., Turňianský Hrad. , 5.IV.1999, leg. Hlaváč (cAss) ; 1 ex., same data, but 28.III.2002 (cAss) ; 1 ex., Malá Bara , 29.III.2002, leg. Hlaváč (cAss) ; 1 ex., Trenčin, Bolesó, leg. Laczo ( HNHM), 1 ex., Trenčin, leg. Brancsik ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Tuřna nad Bodvou , 29.III.1998, leg. Smatana (cSch) ; 1 ex., Com. Bars., Újbánya [= Nová Batóa], leg. Dudich ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Dubova pr. Modra , 23.V.1992, leg. Winkelmann-Klöck (cSch) ; 1 ex., Nitra , 24.IV.1987, leg. Cunev (cBoh) ; 1 ex., same data, but 25.III.1984 (cBoh) ; 1 ex., same data, but 14.V.19?? [year illegible] (cBoh) ; 1 ex., Tríbeč [48°25'N; 18°15'E] Horivá yes [?], 16.V.1982, leg. Cunev (cBoh). Hungary: 2 exs., Pécs, 1904, 1906, leg. Liebmann ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Nógrádszakál , VI.1922, leg. Biró ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Velencei-tó [47°13'N, 18°36'E], leg. Kaszab ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Mosonmagyaróvár ["M.-óvár"], 19.III.1949 ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Mosonmagyaróvár , 18.V.1944 ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Örszentmiklós [47°41'N, 19°17'E], Nyáras, leg. Sajó ( HNHM) ; 5 exs., Budapest, Újpest, leg. Götzelmann ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., Mátra h.[Mts.], Galyatetö, 4.V.1954, leg. Székessy ( HNHM). Romania: 1 ex., jud. Gorj, Vf. lui Stan , 45°01'N, 22°36'E, 1000 m, under stone, 25.IV.2002, leg. Makranczy (cAss) ; 2 exs., jud. Bihor, 2 km NW Bucea , 46°58'N, 22°40'E, 550 m, meadow, under haystack, 8.I.2005, leg. Makranczy (cAss) ; 1 ex., jud. Harghita, 6.5 km W Miercurea-Ciuc , 46°22'N, 25°43'E, 840 m, 10.I.2005, leg. Makranczy (cAss) ; 3 exs., Mehadia, leg. Frivaldszky, Kuthy ( HNHM) ; 4 exs., Herculesfürdö [Baile Herculane], 1878, leg. Pável ( HNHM) ; 2 exs., N-Dobrudja ( MHNG) ; 1 ex., O-Sebeshely [Ósebeshely = Sibişel ], VI.1913, leg. Biró ( HNHM) ; 1 ex., Nagyenyed [Aiud], Nagy Ignác ( HNHM). Slovenia: 3 exs., Maribor, leg. Lang

(MHNG). Croatia: 1 ex., Zagreb, Tryc, 9.IV.1900 (HNHM); 3 exs., Zagreb, leg. Stiller (HNHM); 2 exs., Ludbreg, leg. Apfelbeck (HNHM); 1 ex., Otočac, leg. v. Heyden (DEI); 1 ex., Police, Gornja Radgona, 25.VI.1999, leg. Drovenik (cBoh). Bosnia-Herzegovina: 1 ex., Dračevo, leg. Apfelbeck (HNHM); 1 ex., Mostar (HNHM); 1 ex., Sarajevo, leg. Apfelbeck (HNHM); 10 exs., Bjelasnica planina (DEI, MHNG); 1 ex., Maklen pass, leg. Leonhard (DEI). Bulgaria: 2 exs., Stara planina, Dolno Sachrane [42°38'N, 25°14'E], G. Dimitrov reservoir, 18.V.1984, leg. Wrase (cSch, cAss); 2 exs., Kazanlak, Georgi Dimitrov reservoir, 19.IX.1977, leg. Hieke & Uhlig (MNHUB, cAss); 2 ex., Mičurin, 18.IX.1977, leg. Hieke & Uhlig (MNHUB, cAss); 1 ex., Dragoman, 24.-31.V.1989, leg. Leidenfrost (cSch); 2 exs., Samokov, 1911, leg. Hilf (DEI). Greece: m a i n l a n d: 1 ex., Préveza, Kastrosikia, 50 m, 20.V.1996, leg. Schulz & Vock (cAss); 1 ex., Grevena, W Smixi, ski resort, 1700 m, 18.VI.2002, leg Brachat (cAss); 2 exs., Imathia, Seli , 20 km NW Náoussa, 1700- 1800 m, 17.V.1996, leg. Schulz & Vock (cAss); 21 exs., Vermion Oros, above Seli, 40°33'N, 22°00'E, 1500 m, 11.IV.1998, leg. Assing, Schülke, Wunderle (cAss, cSch, cWun); 1 ex., Vermion Oros, ski resort Seli, 40°32'N, 22°01'E, 1520 m [date not specified], leg. Zerche (DEI); 1 ex., Thessaloniki, leg. Schatzmayr (DEI); 3 exs., Thessalia, NE Ossa Oros, Stómio, 39°55'N, 22°41'E, floodplain forest, 5.IV.1998, leg. Schülke (cSch, cAss). Turkey [see also ASSING (2001a, 2005a)]: I s t a n b u l: 1ex.,AlemDağı, Polonezköyü, 24.III.1975, leg. Bremer (MNHUB); 1 ex., same locality, 4.-8.IV.1902, leg. Gottwald (MNHUB); 1 ex., Yalova-Orhangazi, 11.V.1976, leg. Besuchet (MHNG); 1 ex., Istanbul, 1900, leg. Korb (DEI). K ü t a h y a: 1 ex., Minnetler, 16.IV.2006, leg. Anlaş (cAnl). R i z e: 1 ex., Rize env., leg. Franz (NHMW). M a n i s a: 1 ex., Turgutlu, Ovacık, 11.III.2007 (cAnl); 1 ex., Spil Dağı, 1100 m, 29.III.2007 (cAnl). Georgia: 1 ex., Trialetskiy Khrebet, Borzhomi, 800 m, 18.VI.1987, leg. Wrase & Schülke (cAss); 1 ex., Zeraboseli, 500 m, 13.X.1981 (cBoh). Russia: 4 exs., Rostov n. D., 10.VII.1970 (cBoh); 1 ex., same data, but 25.IV.1970 (cAss); 1 ex., same data, but 8.X.1970 (cBoh); 1 ex., same data, but 24.VI.1970 (cBoh); 1 ex., Vladivostok, leg. Jurecek (cBoh). Daghestan: 1 ex., "Samurwald", leg. Franz (NHMW). Azerbaijan: 2 exs., Ordubad ["Araxesthal"], leg. Leder & Reitter (HNHM). Iran: 13, Mazanderan, S Tang-e-Râh, 37°25'N, 55°45'E, 28.VII.1974, leg. Senglet (cAss). Uzbekistan: 3 exs., Marg'ilon [Margelan] (HNHM, cAss); 1 ex., Tashkent env., Cimgan Mt. (Tanshan Mt.), 2800 m, 6.V.1978, leg. Strejček (cBoh). Locality ambiguous or not specified: 1 ex., Jablanica, leg. Paganetti (HNHM); 2 exs., "Makkos", IV.1920, leg. Horváth (HNHM); 1 ex., "Brandis, Travnik" (HNHM); 1 ex., "Kaukas.", leg. Leder (HNHM); 2 exs., "Caucasus", leg. Leder (HNHM); 1 ex., "Rossia" (HNHM); 2 exs., without locality (HNHM); 1 ex. (Boh).

D i a g n o s i s: Distinctly bicolored species with head and pronotum usually dark brown to blackish, and pronotum and elytra reddish. For a colour photograph see TRONQUET (2006). Posterior margin of abdominal tergite VII with palisade fringe. Reliably distinguished from externally similar species only by the male primary and secondary sexual characters.

3: sternite VIII with relatively deep V-shaped posterior excision, otherwise unmodified; aedeagus as figured by ASSING (1995, 2001a).

C o m p a r a t i v e n o t e s: In the collections examined, S. melanocephalus was most often confused with S. fallax and S. bicolor , whose distributions partly overlap with that of S. melanocephalus . Both S. fallax and S. bicolor are on average of larger body size and have longer elytra, but there is some overlap. A reliable separation of relatively large S. melanocephalus with comparatively long elytra from small-sized specimens of S. fallax and S. bicolor is possible only based on the male primary and secondary sexual characters.

D i s t r i b u t i o n a n d b i o n o m i c s: Based on the material examined, S. melanocephalus melanocephalus has a trans-Palaearctic distribution ranging from northeastern Spain and France to the Russian Far East ( Map 2 ). According to HOEBEKE (1991) and SMETANA (2004), it is introduced in North America. The vague record from " India orientalis" by KRAATZ (1859), an extensive and weakly defined region, is most likely to refer to the Himalaya or its outliers. In the Eastern Palaearctic, it has been reported also from China ( SMETANA 2004). In Middle Asia, it was previously known only from Kazakhstan ( KASHCHEEV 2002), a record omittted by SMETANA (2004). The species is here reported from Uzbekistan for the first time. In the Western Palaearctic region, S. m. melanocephalus is widespread ( Map 3 ), its general distribution resembling that of a ponto-Mediterranean species. It is apparently absent from Spain (except for the extreme northeast), Italy south of Abruzzi, and most of Scandinavia. Previous records from central and southern Spain, e. g. by SCHEERPELTZ (1958), are likely to be based on misidentifications. According to LUNDBERG (1995), it is unknown from Norway and Finland, and in Sweden it is confined to the south. In addition to the countries listed above, SMETANA (2004) indicates it for Belgium, Denmark, the British Isles (see also JOY 1932), Latvia (first record by CIBUĻSKIS (2001)), the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine (see also GUSAROV 1989), and Yugoslavia, but does account for previous records from Luxemburg ( DRUGMAND 1993). SAINTE- CLAIRE DEVILLE (1906) reports it from Corsica. However, in view of the high incidence of confusion with similar widespread species ( S. fallax , S. bicolor , etc.) in the collections examined, these records require verification. This particularly applies to the records from Ukraine and Corsica. Previous records from Crete (e. g. HORION 1965), for instance, doubtlessly refer to S. fallax (numerous specimens examined).

The material examined was found in a remarkably wide range of habitats, especially in unforested biotopes, but never in dense forests: in various types of grassland (xerothermous calcareous and other dry grassland, pastures, moist and dry meadows), in swamps, arable land, parks, gardens, salt pits, sand pits, and on river banks. A large proportion of the specimens was collected with pitfall traps, the remainder was sifted from the leaf litter of deciduous trees (oak, hornbeam, apple trees, prune trees, poplar, willow), from compost, circus dung, haystacks, flood debris (January, March), from the nests of moles (January, February) and voles (March), or found with ants, usually in winter and early spring (Formica spp.: February, May, December); Camponotus sp. (January); Lasius fuliginosus: on one occasion 17 specimens in January)). One micropterous specimen was collected with a sweep-net in July. For similar literature data see HORION (1965), who additionally gives the following habitats: moss, nests of " Lasius niger ", under bark of trees. JANÁK & VYSOKÝ (1992) report three records from nests of Formica pratensis in January and March. For additional records from mole nests see e. g. HORION (1933), NOVOSAD (1990), OSELLA & ZANETTI (1974), and STROUHAL & BEIER (1928); OSELLA & ZANETTI (1974) observed S. melanocephalus in this habitat only during the period from January through March. FRANZ (1938) recorded it from fox burrows in Austria.

mo nt h

Adult beetles have been found throughout the year, with a maximum in spring ( Fig. 2 ). Teneral beetles were observed in July, August, and October. The ovaries of a dissected female collected in June contained a mature egg. These observations suggest that oviposition takes place in spring and pre-imaginal development is completed in summer and autumn. BOHÁČ (1985) reported "immature" specimens in April and October, which HOEBEKE (1993) mistook as larval records. In the light of the present data, however, the record of teneral beetles in April seem rather unlikely.

Figures

Map 2: Distributions of Sunius melanocephalus melanocephalus (FABRICIUS) (filled circles) and S. m. anatolicus ASSING (open circles) in the Western Palaearctic region, based on examined records. Grey circles: records with aedeagus of transitional condition between the typical character states of both subspecies.

Map 3: Distribution of Sunius melanocephalus (FABRICIUS) in the Palaearctic region, based on examined records.

Fig. 2: Seasonal distribution of Sunius melanocephalus melanocephalus (FABRICIUS), based on examined specimens (black bars) and records (grey bars).