Metadromius Bedel, 1907

Type species.

Dromius myrmidon Fairmaire, 1859

Metadromius is a complex genus that comprises about 30 species that are distributed in Afrotropical and Palaearctic regions (Anichtchenko 2017). A revision of the genus in the Middle East is in preparation, with some new species. Fifteen species inhabit Palaearctic region, three are mentioned from within the territories of Arabian Peninsula (Mateu 1979, Kabak 2003, 2017 Anichtchenko 2017). The genus can be differentiated from other genera in the subtribe Dromiusina by: small body size range from 2-3 mm; mentum with median tooth; antennae stout, antennomere II as long as III, pubescence starts from antennomere IV; anterior margin of labrum slightly rounded; pronotum transverse, base of pronotum weakly incised, sinuate posteriorly with sharp angles; apex of elytra obliquely truncate; tarsomeres I longer than V in hind legs, claws dentate. In Saudi Arabia, M. arabicus Mateu, 1979; M. ephippiatus Fairmaire, 1884; and M. brittoni Basilewsky, 1948 are mentioned up to now (Mateu 1979, 1986, Kabak 2003). However, the record of M. ephippiatus is a doubtful one. Its occurrence is based on a probably false identification by Mateu (1979).