Forum Entomologi Italiani

A rather rare species, which I have encountered only 2 times in my life.
This one was found on a leaf of Ulmus, unique specimen, at an altitude of about 5 m.
Length 5.2 mm.

Don't complain, that is twice as me... Mine was on Eucalyptus.

G.

i have found twice this species, once in lucania, policoro (MT), 2 exx., and once in puglia, le cesine (LE), in series; in both cases on the dunes, on Tamarix sp. heavily attacked by the chrysomelid galerucine Diorhabda elongata, most likely its host (Lebia spp. are parasitoids, seemingly unlike the closely related Lamprias)

i also have notice of several individuals observed (and only few collected, since the collector did not have a net ) in greece, southern peloponnese, again on Tamarix (no informaion about associated chrysomelid beetles)

so i think that findings on plants other than Tamarix may be incidental

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maurizio

The 2nd time I found it, it was also in Eucalyptus. In SW Peloponnese, month of November.
I have not encountered it in Tamarix, never.
Unfortunately, I did not know this information about Diorhabda elongata (thank you Maurizio !!!).

George

findings under Eucalyptus bark in winter (i was witness of one of the two gabriele's records, near rome ) are no doubt to be referred to individuals overwintering in refugial sites, having nothing to do with the feeding plant of the actual host of the species

look for Tamarix in surrounding area, especially if growing from emerged (although possibly damp) ground, not from water table; and explore them at intervals, as regularly as possible, with an entomological umbrella or even a sweeping net, if possible seeking for those attacked by chrysomelid beetles

p.s. instead of directly sweep the net on the branches, or to heavily pick them with a rod over the umbrella, it's more useful (and less harmful for the plant) to place the net or the umbrella under the leaves of the branch, to hold the latter by the hand, and to shake it; all insects on the branch top will fall, and you will not risk to break any part of the plant

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maurizio

Hi colleagues,

don't know if it's of any interest. Anyway: I've got in my general collection a single male specimen of this species (Paolo Bonavita det., a well known Carabid specialist whose main interest are Bembidion and related genera).

My specimen comes from : Greece, Central Macedonia (Kilkis), Axioupoli env, 4-6.V.1985

No further data available from the label, but I remember that I collected by beating and sweeping mainly in floodplain areas close to the Axios river, where very likely there were Tamarix bushes…. So much time ago, I can't say it with certainty.

When it's necessary, I can try to check my Carabidae miscellanea (unfortunately spread in several boxes, it can take some time), having a "feeling" about this beetle. Can't warrant, but I seem to remember that I've collected it anywhere else in Greece.

Cheers. A.

Cheers, A.

As I did remember, seven further specimens labelled as follows:

Peloponnese (Arkadia), Kato Vervena (S of Astros), 4.V.1993, knockdown from Tamarix sp.

Ciao, A.