Forum Entomologi Italiani

L. 5.5mm.

Hello,this is a female of Malachius, probably M. stolatus Mulsant & Godart, 1855. For sure it is not a M. aeneus.

G.

It is Malachius mariae Ab., 1885, female.
Is a "Turkish" species that found for the 1st time in Europe in May 2011 (NE Greece, near Evros river) and now in Bulgaria. Stara Zagora is not far away from Evros (= Maritsa in Bulgarian) river, only 40 Km.

The main difference between the females M. mariae and M. stolatus, is in the 3rd segment of antenna (elongated vs relatively short, respectively).
In addition, in M. mariae both sexes are "red", while in M. stolatus there is a sexual dichroism (the males are "red" and the most of the females are "green" as in Malachius bipustulatus, with only rare females "red").

George

Thank you George, I was not aware of the occurrence of M. mariae in Europe.

G.

Thank you Gabriele and George!
Yes, it was found close to a river which flows into Maritsa after 50 kms