Meliboeus alfierianus Théry, 1935

Niehuis, Manfred, 2020, A review of the jewel beetles of the genus Meliboeus in Israel (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Israel Journal of Entomology (Oxford, England) 50 (2), pp. 159-176 : 165

Meliboeus alfierianus Théry, 1935

( Fig. 3)

Meliboeus hoberlandti Obenberger, 1944 .

The examination of the types in MNHN by V. KubÁŇ and me allowed us to separate M. alfieranus and M. impressithorax . At present, I regard them as two distinct species.

Material examined: Israel: Southern Coastal Plain: 1♂ Nizzanim , 6.vi.2006, V. Chikatunov (SMNHTAU) ; 6♂ 6♀ 0.5 km SW Nizzan Bet [Nitsan Bet], dunes near Ashkelon , 31°34'08"N 34°37'11"E, 2.vi.2012, M. & O. Niehuis ( CNA, 1 ex. SMNHTAU, 2 ex. ZIN) . Arava Valley: 1♀ 45 km N Elat, sand dunes E Qetura [Quetura], 9.v.1996, M. Hauser ( CMN) . Iran: Djiroft, Bandar , Kerman, iv.1971 ( CKB) . Egypt: 1♂ El Ghazal , 25.v.1930, Alfieri, Egypte Meliboeus alfierianus Théry TYPE ( MNHN) ; Cairo Aegyptus (♀) Meliboeus Hoberlandti Obenberger TYPUS ( NMPC) .

Distribution: Egypt, Iran, Israel. In Israel collected in sand dunes.

Host plants: Caught in series on yellow Asteraceae in the dunes of Ashqelon.

Comments: A series (6♂♂ CNA) of smaller individuals ( Fig. 4) were collected by O. and M. Niehuis early in spring (12.iv.1992) in the Dead Sea Area, between 'En Gedi and Mezada. All specimens were collected on Pulicaria incisa ( Asteraceae ) (Dr Walter Lang (Erpolzheim, Germany), pers. comm., 2020). It is possible, that M. alfierianus has a distinct population, which is active earlier in the season in these extreme habitats, develops on a small host plant, and comprises therefore smaller individuals. Another possibility is that the small specimens represent a morphological or ecological subspecies, or even a separate species. Further study is needed to determine a status of this form.