Calosoma olivieri Dejean, 1831

Assmann, Thorsten, Boutaud, Estève, Buse, Jörn, Drees, Claudia, Friedman, Ariel-Leib-Leonid, Hetzel, Andreas, Orbach, Eylon, Renan, Ittai, Reuter, Christoph & Wrase, David W., 2020, The Caterpillar Hunter Beetles Calosoma Weber (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the southern Levant, Israel Journal of Entomology (Oxford, England) 50 (2), pp. 133-158 : 147-150

Calosoma olivieri Dejean, 1831

( Fig. 10)

Dispersal power: Macropterous, active flyer, attracted to light.

Habitat: An epigeic species in deserts (wadis with sparse vegetation), semi-arid steppes, dunes, also on arable fields (e.g. Madaba in Jordan) and between greenhouses (e.g. Be'er Milka in Israel).

Biology: A polyphagous predator, probably with a predilection for caterpillars (unpubl. data), also preys on Schistocerca gregaria ( Jeannel 1940) . The beetles are usually rare, but may occasionally appear in large numbers, so the general public becomes aware of the beetles, especially when they are attracted by light like it happened in 2019 in Israel ( TOI 2019), Lebanon, Syria (Baladi 2019), northwards up to northern Syria and northern Iraq (Reuter pers. obs.). Calosoma olivieri occurs together with C. maderae only in habitats with semi-arid steppe climate. This corresponds to the habitat selection and distribution of both species in Morocco ( Gourves 1997).

The 2019 outbreak spread over the entire Levant ( Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan) and the Arabian Peninsula ( Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen), and lasted from the end of April to June. Swarms of beetles appeared at both day and night. Hundreds to thousands of beetles were flying and running everywhere in Israel, particularly in the south, while in the Arabian Peninsula, the beetles were so numerous, that their bodies covered roads and streets with such a thick black layer that required special cleaning efforts. The beetles did not cause any damage; however, members of general public complained of being attacked by beetles, bitten or “stinged”. Wandering beetles entered everywhere, causing panic on agricultural farms, in industrial zones, hospitals etc. Some beetles entered into containers with fresh produce dispatched to Europe, were intercepted by the customs in the European ports of entry and nearly caused cancelation of the Israeli agricultural export. During 2020, i.e. after the outbreak, only a single specimen was collected by A.L.L. Friedman in the Central Negev.

Phenology: Adults active from February to June, but mainly in March and April.

Material examined: Egypt: 1 eX., Sinai, Santa Katarina , 31.v.1975, H. Bytinski-Salz ; 1♀ Sinai, Jebel Ahmar , 3 km S St Katherine, 23.iii.1975, B. Ben-Ya'aqov ( SMNHTAU) ; 1♂ Cairo Governorate, El Maadi , 19.iv.1994, W. Ullrich (CWGP, Heinz / Wrase det.) . Iraq: 1♂ Al Anbar Governorate, Western Desert, Wádí al Hazimi , 4–7.iv.1979, J. Macek (CWGP, Heinz det.) . Israel: Har Hermon : 2♂ 1♀ Majdal Shams , 18.v.2001, V. Kravchenko, light trap ; 5♀ Majdal Shams , 20.v.2001, V. Kravchenko, light trap; Golan Heights : 3♂ Merom Golan , 12.vi.2000, V. Chikatunov; Upper Galilee : 1♂ Har Kefir [Mt Kfir], 950 m, 7.v.1998, E. Orbach ; 1♀ Birya, 11.iii.2009, E. Rotholz; Lower Galilee : 1♀ Kefar haHoresh, 8.iv.1987, Y. Dorchin ; 2♀ Kokhav haYarden, 27.iii.2001, V. Chikatunov; Carmel Ridge : 1♂ Har Carmel , Haifa, Ahuza, 5.v.1998, E. Orbach; Northern Coastal Plain : 1♂ Qiryat Hayyim , 27.vii.2001, Y. Ptashkovsky, light , 1♂ 16.vii.2002, Y. Ptashkovsky, light; 1♂ 3♀ Ma'agan Mikha'el, 4.v.1998, A. Freidberg; Hula Valley : 1♀ Dan , cotton field, vi.1979, E. Tzhori ; 6♂ 5♀ Kefar Szold , 5.v.1998, R. Ortal ; 1♀ Ne'ot Mordekhay , 16.vii.1973, D. Furth , 1♀ 6.viii.1973, A. Schwartz; 1♀ Sede Nehemya , 19.ii.1963, Z. Shoham ; 1♂ Sede Nehemya , 14.iii.1963, Z. Shoham ; 1♀ Sede Nehemya , 30.v.1964, Z. Shoham ; 1♂ Sede Nehemya, 5.vi.1969, Z. Shoham; Central Coastal Plain : 1♀ Netanya, South, Hof haSharon, 13.iv.2015, A. Orlov ; 1♂ Apolonia , between coastal rocks, during strong storm, 15.iv.1957 ; 1♀ Bet Berl , 20.i.1967, M. Tzaba’ ; 2♂ 1♀ Hod haSharon, 5.v.1998, A. Traub , 1♂ 6.v.1998, A. Traub, 1♀ X.1991, A. Traub; 1♂ Tel Aviv, 3.v.1971, H. Bytinski-Salz ; 2♂ 3♀ Tel Aviv, Ramat Aviv , 5.v.1998, Y. Orion; Judean Hills : 1♂ 1♀ Zur Hadassa , 28.iv.2001, V. Kravchenko, light trap ; 1♂ Yerushalayim [Jerusalem], 29.i.1956 , 1♀ 15.?.1956; 1♂ 1♀ Yerushalayim, center, 23.iv.2007, A. Orlov, night, under halogen lamp ; 1♀ Yerushalayim, Gilo , 23.iv.2005, A. Orlov, soil trap , 1♂ 30.iv.2014,A. Orlov, evening, under street lamp; Dead Sea Area : 1♂ ' Enot Zuqim , 30.iii.1987, G. Muller ; 1♀ Nahal Qumeran , 22.iii.1993, V. Chikatunov ; 2♂ ' En Gedi , 28.ii.2003, V. Kravchenko, V. Chikatunov, light trap ; 1♂ ' En Boqeq , 4.ii.1981, A. Freidberg ; 1♂ Be'er Mash'abim [Bir Asluj], 19.ii.1971, Y. Yefenof ; 1♂ Judean Desert , 6.iii.1972, Y. Yefenov; Judean Desert : 1♂ Judean Desert , 25.v.2002, V. Kravchenko ; 1♂ Nahal Perat [Wadi Kelt], 23.iv.2003, V. Kravchenko, V. Chikatunov, light trap; 1 eX., Nahal Perat [Wadi Kelt], St. George Monastery , 29.iii.2012, Th. Assmann ( CAB) ; 1♀ Mar Saba, 23.iv.2003, V. Kravchenko, V. Chikatunov, light trap; Northern Negev : 1♂ Lahav , 14.v.1964, Kamon ; 2♂ Hazerim , iv.1988, E. Orbach ; 1♂ Hazerim, 20.iii.1988, E. Orbach; Central Negev : 1♂ Ma'agar Yeroham , 1.iv.2014, L. Friedman ; 1♂ Retamim , 5.vi.2003, 23.iv.2003, V. Kravchenko, V. Chikatunov, light trap ; 1♀ ' En Zin , 27.ii.2001, V. Chikatunov ; 1♀ Sede Boqer , 14.iv.2003, R. Hoffman ; 1♀ Sede Boqer , 13.v.2006, I. Shtirberg ; 1♂ Nahal Nafha; 1♂ Nahal Nafha [Wadi Nafh], 1.iv.1945, J. Wahrman ; 1♀ Nahal Zin [Wadi Abyad], 24.iii.1952, J. Wahrman ; 1♀ Borot Loz , 930 m, 23.ii.2020, L. Friedman; ' Ezuz , 1♂ 1♀ 5.vi.2003, 23.iv.2003, V. Kravchenko, V. Chikatunov, light trap, 1♀ 15.iii.2007, V. Kravchenko, light trap, 1♂ 23.iii.2007, V. Kravchenko, light trap; 1♂ 1♀ Upper Nahal Nizzana , 1.iv.1997, B. Krasnov ; 1♀ Mizpe Ramon , 21.iii.2001, R. Hoffman ; 1♂ Makhtesh Ramon [Machtesh Rimon], 18.iv.1968, D. Gerling; Southern Negev : 1♂ Nahal ' Amram , 23.iv.1962, J. Wahrman ; 1♀ Elat , 23.v.1962, J. Wahrman ; 1♀ Elat, 13.iv.1998, L. Fishelsohn; Arava Valley : 2♀ ' Iddan , “Voice of America” fields, 14.iv.1999, V. Kravchenko, I. Yarom, light trap ; 1♂ Hazeva , 9.iii.1979, D. Furth ; 1♀ Hazeva , 13.iv.1998, V. Kravchenko ; 1♂ Hazeva Field School , 9.v.1998, E.Ashkenazi, Malaise trap ; 1♀ Hazeva Nature Reserve , wadi, - 170 m, 9–23.iv.2010, C. Drees ; 1♀ Shezaf Nature Reserve , 14.iv.1999, v. Kravchenko, I. Yarom, light trap ; 1♀ Shezaf Nature Reserve , 26.i.2001, V. Kravchenko, light trap ; 1♂ Be'er Menuha [Bir Maliha], 20.iii.1953, J. Wahrman ; 1♂ 1♀ Gerofit , 7.i.2004, D. Utchitel, V. Chikatunov ; 1♀ Gerofit , 11.i.2004, E. Topel, V. Chikatunov ; 1♂ 1♀ Gerofit , 24.iii.2007, V. Kravchenko, light trap ; 1♂ ' En Yotvata [Ein Radian], 24.iv.1957, L. Fishelsohn ; 1♀ ' En Yotvata , 20.iii.2001, V. Kravchenko, I. Yarom, light trap ; 1♂ 1♀ ' En Yotvata , 17.iv.2004, U. Shanas, V. Chikatunov ; 1♀ Elifaz , iii–vi.2003, E. Topel, V. Chikatunov ; 2♂ Timna' , 3.iv.1997, V. Chikatunov ; 1♀ Be'er Ora [Ora], 3.iv.1997, V. Chikatunov (all SMNHTAU) . Syria: 1♀ Homs Governorate, Palmyra , fields of ruins, 24.iv.1996, L. Behne (CWGP, Wrase det.) .

Observation data: Israel: Numerous specimens were seen by Th.Assmann, mainly in the Eastern Northern Negev Sand Dunes : Ya'ar Ramat Beqa', 17.iii.2013, iii.2018, Shunera Sands, 19.iii.2013, Shivta, iii.2018, Be'er Milka, iii.2018, 'Agur Sand, iii.2018, and in the Central Negev: Sede Boqer, iii.2018, Mizpe Ramon, iii.2018 . Jordan: Al-Azraq-Lodge, 12.iii.2013, Th.Assmann ( CAB); Wadi Rum , Touristique Village, 14.iii.2013, Th. Assmann .

Records during the outbreak in 2019: Israel: Har Hermon: 1♂ 1♀ Har Hermon, Geva'ot haQerav, 2070 m, 1.v.2019, T. Marcus; 2♂ Har Hermon, 1600 m, 14.iv.2019, G. Sinaiko; Hula Valley: 1♂ Ha- Gosherim, Rt. 99, Nahal Senir, 14.iv.2019, G. Sinaiko; Upper Galilee : 4♂ 4♀ Karmi'el, 29.v.2019, U. Shalom; 1♂ 2♀ Mahanayim, gas station, 1.v.2019, T. Marcus; Northern Coastal Plain : 6♂ 7♀ Baqa el Gharbiya, 29.iv.2019, U. Shalom; Samaria : 1♂ Qedumim, 30.iv.2019, L. Friedman; Jordan Valley : 6♂ 4♀ Gadot, 29.iv.19, R. Shafir; Central Coastal Plain : 2♂ Netanya, 15.v.2019, O.T. Netanel; 1♀ Giv'atayim, 29.iv.2019, E. Morgulis; 1♂ 1♀ Bat Yam, 29.iv.2019, A. Weinstein; Judean Hills: 2♂ 4♀ Bet Shemesh, 28.iv.2019, U. Shalom; 8♂ 8♀ Yerushalayim [Jerusalem], Mahane Yehuda Market, Bet Alliance, 29.iv.2019, T. Marcus; Dead Sea Area : 1♀ ' En Gedi, 1.v.2019, D. David; Northern Negev : 3♂ 2♀ Ne'ot Hovav, 29.iv.2019, I. Ornan . Jordan: 1♂ Tutun, 12.ii.1999, I. Yarom, light; 1♂ Southern ' Arava Valley , 25.ii.2004, U. Shanas, V. Chikatunov ( SMNHTAU); American University Madaba, iii.2013, Th.Assmann ( CAB); Madaba Governorate, Madaba, American University env. S Madaba, ca 780 m, 31°39.056'N 35°47.664'E (field edges/perennial ruderal herbs/under stones/plants), 19.iii.2016, Wrase, Laser [01] (2♂ 1♀ CWGP, Wrase /HÄckel det.); same data, but 31.iii.2016 (1♂ CWGP, Wrase det.; 1 ex. Th. Assmann, CAB) .

Distribution range: From Azores and Cape Verde Islands to Pakistan, southwards to Mauretania and Oman, northwards to south-eastern Spain and Sicily ( Bruschi

2013).The records from Sicily probably reflect immigration events from populations of the desert belt in the south.

Distribution range in southern Levant: Egypt (incl. Sinai), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria ( Chikatunov et al. 2006; Bruschi 2013; HÄckel 2017; Nasir & Katbeh-Bader 2017). In Israel, the species occurs throughout the country, from Mt Hermon to Elat, but more common in the southern, eremic part of Israel (Judean Desert, Dead Sea Area, the Arava Valley and the Negev Desert). It is unclear if records from northern Israel represent reproduction habitats or migrants from the south.

Taxonomic notes: Beetles from our material from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Iraq are almost black, with only small foveae on the elytra having mostly a metallic hue (chiefly blue or green). Beetles from the Arabian Peninsula may also have a general metallic hue on the elytra (see Felix 2009: fig. 11).