Sepsis thoracica (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830)

Material: Switzerland: AG: Habsburg, 450 m, 12.vii.2004, 19.vii.2004, 26.vii.2004, 2.viii.2004, 23.viii.2004, 30.viii.2004, 14.ix.2004, 20.ix.2004, 27.ix. 2004 (all leg, Wermelinger); Sarmenstorf, 550 m, 7.vi.2004, 21.vi.2004, 28.vi.2004, 5.vii.2004, 12.vii.2004, 19.vii.2004, 16.viii.2004, 30.viii.2004, 6.ix.2004, 14.ix. 2004, 20.ix.2004 (all leg. Wermelinger); Schlossrued, 600 m, 2004 (leg. Duelli); Würenlingen, 420 m, 7.viii.1998. BE:Rümligen, 540 m, 2001, 2004 (all leg. Duelli); Ruppoldsried, 500 m, iv.–x.1987 (leg. Duelli). FR:Courlevon, 600 m, 2001, 2004, 2005 (leg. Duelli); Nuvilly, 650 m, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli). GE:Bernex/Chante-Merle, 420 m, 7.viii.2000 (leg. Merz &Bächli); Bernex/Tuilières, 420 m, 12.viii.2000; Cartigny/Moulin de Vert, 350 m, 9.viii.2000 (leg. Merz &Bächli); Chancy, 350 m, 25.vii.2004; Russin/Biolay, 360 m, 9.viii.2000 (leg. Merz &Bächli). GR:Ardez, 1400 m, 6.viii.1996 (leg. Merz &Bächli); Ftan/Clünas, 2000 m, 5.viii.1996 (leg. Merz &Bächli); Lenzerheide, 1520 m, 8.viii.1998; Nationalpark, 2000 m, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli); S-chanf/Flin, 1650 m, 7.viii.1996 (leg. Merz &Bächli); Susch/Fortezza, 1500 m, 7.viii.1996 (leg. Merz & Bächli); Tschierv, 1700 m, 27.vi.2015; Tschlin, 1500 m, 25.vi.2016); Zernez, 1450 m, 6.viii.1996 (leg. Merz &Bächli); Zernez, 1450 m, 4.viii.1996; Zernez/Nüd, 1700 m, 7.viii.1996 (leg. Merz &Bächli);. LU:Dierikon, 550 m, 2004 (leg. Duelli); Ruswil, 800 m, 2004 (leg. Duelli); Sursee, 500 m, 13.vi.2004. SO:Messen, 500 m, 15.iii.2004, 14.vi.2004, 21.vi.2004, 28.vi.2004, 26.vii.2004, 23.viii.2004, 30.viii. 204, 6.ix.2004, 20.ix.2004, 27.ix.2004 (all leg. Wermelinger). SZ:Holzegg, 1440 m, 19.–21.viii.1975. TG:Lommis/Immenberg, 700 m, 4.viii.2007; Roggwil, 420 m, 2003, 2004 (leg. Duelli). TI:Bolle di Magadino, 200 m, 9.viii.1997; Bolle di Magadino, 200 m, 2001, 2004 (all leg. Duelli); Lugano, 24.vi.–5.viii.2006 (leg. Sattler); Robiei, 1900 m, 4.–5.vii.2008. UR:Furkapass, 2400 m, 23.vii.2012, 24.vii.2012, 25.vii.2012. VD:Changins, 430 m, 2001 (leg. Duelli); La Dôle, 1500 m, 26.vii. 2004; Senarclens, 600 m, 2005 (leg. Duelli). VS:Baltschieder, 650 m, 17.v.1996, 2.viii.1998 (all leg. Merz &Bächli), 24.vi.2000; Grône/Poutafontna, 520 m, 18.v.1996 (leg. Merz &Bächli); Guttet, 1500 m, 1.vii.2001; Jeizinen, 1500 m, 26.vi. 1999, 3.vii.2001, 10.viii.2013; Leuk/Brentjong, 1000 m, 16.v.1996 (leg. Merz & Bächli); 25.vi.1999; Leuk/Platten, 600 m, 19.v.1996, 1.viii.1998, 3.viii.1998 (all leg. Merz &Bächli), 22.vii.2004; Mörel, 850 m, 28.v.2010 (leg. Forster); Morgins/Portes de Culet, 1800 m, 28.vii.2004; Morgins/Portes du Soleil, 1800 m, 27.vii.2004; Morgins/Têtes, 1500 m, 28.vii.2004; Visperterminen, 1600 m, 21.vii. 2004. ZG:Steinhausen, 500 m, 2001, 2004, 2005 (all leg. Duelli). ZH:Rafz, 420 m, 2004 (leg. Duelli); Uitikon, 540 m, 2004 (leg. Duelli); Zürich, 450 m, 14.– 16.ix.1973; Zürich/Hönggerberg, 520 m, 7.–11.ix.1992;

Bosnia/Herzegovina:Durmitor, 1500 m, 30.vii.–5.viii.1988. Liechtenstein:Ruggell, 430 m, 8.viii.1998. France:Haute-Savoie, Monnetier/Salève, 700 m, 10.viii. 2000 (leg. Merz &Bächli); Alsace, Steinbach, 27.viii.–8.viii.2010 (leg. Schaffner). Distribution:Aftortopical, Oceanian, Oriental, Palaearctic (Ozerov 2005).

Comments:Males range in colour from black to brightly yellow, while females are always dark. The species is common on cow pastures but appears to be more active during hot weather. Similar to S. punctum,males engage in male-male combat.