Polietes steinii (Ringdahl, 1913)

Material examined. RUSSIA: Altai Republic: 3♂ 3♀, Ust-Sema env., 51.6°N 85.8°E, 360 m asl, 21– 26.06.2016, leg. N. Vikhrev ; 2♂, Seminskiy Pass env., Sarlyk River valley, 51.11°N 85.60°E, 1200 m asl, 28– 30.06.2016, leg. N. Vikhrev ; 3♂, Seminskiy Pass, Turala River valley, 50.99°N 85.68°E, 1350 m asl, 8– 13.07.2016, leg. N. Vikhrev (all in ZMUM) ; 1♂ 5♀, 20 km SW of Cherga, Verkh-Kukuya village, 51.46°N 85.28°E, 950 m asl, 17.07.2011, leg. V. Sorokina (ISEA).

Remarks. Reputedly not a common species, but it is actually common on horse dung from European Russia to the Russian Far East. In the Altai Mountains Polietes steinii (Ringdahl, 1913) was found on horse dung from 360 to 1350 m asl. The closely related Polietes major (Ringdahl, 1926) is also attracted to horse dung but was recorded at higher altitudes, from 1200 to 2600 m asl.

Distribution. Palaearctic.