Meloe (Eurymeloe) murinus Brandt & Erichson, 1832

[= Meloe thalensis Pic, 1933]

ℹ  Information: Meloe murinusdescribed by Brandt & Erichson in 1832.
A rare species of the southern Mediterranean. Found in the central-southern Iberian Peninsula, Sardinia, Sicily, Greece and North Africa. It has been reported from Corsica, but although the record is plausible, it has never been confirmed. Distribution in Italy only in Sardinia and Sicily.


Body length:   7 - 19  mm
Peak activity:  October - May 


⚠  Remarks: A thermophilic species inhabiting lowland and hilly environments. Adults are nocturnal. Activity period ranges from January to May and from October to December, with probable hibernation in the soil by individuals that emerge in autumn.


🌍  Distribution: Algeria, Greece (Crete), France (Corse), Italy (Sicilia, Sardinia), Libya, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia
Zoogeographic region: Palearctic


🗄  Taxonomic classification:

Familia Meloidae Gyllenhal, 1810
Subfamilia Meloinae Gyllenhal, 1810
Tribus Meloini Gyllenhal, 1810
Genus Meloe Linnaeus, 1758 
Subgenus Eurymeloe Reitter, 1911

 


🔎  Material examined (& observation):

Italy  🇮🇹
Sicily
Caltanissetta Province
Riserva Naturale Orientata Sughereta di Niscemi
7km SE of Niscemi
(GPS) 📌  
Altitude 300 m a.s.l. | 14.11.-5.12.2020

📅  Our observation period: November ~ December
📝  Sampling Methods:  in grassy vegetation  🌱  🌼

Italy
More information: