Merodon cupreus Hurkmans, 1993

Merodon cupreus Hurkmans, 1993: 179.

Type locality.

Turkey, “ Kars ”. Original description was based on a male holotype and a high number of male and female paratypes (all in RMNH) (Hurkmans 1993: 179). Holotype (designated by Hurkmans): male, Turkey, Kars (RMNH), [specimen dry pinned]. Original labels: [Turkey, Kars, Handere 2100–2200 m, 20 km W of Saricamiş, 1. viii. 1983, leg. J. A. W. Lucas], [Holotype of Merodon cupreus Hurkmans] (examined).

Diagnosis.

Bumble bee mimic species (similar to species from clavipes species group) with pile on scutum longer than basoflagellomere (shorter in other species of the pruni species group); mesonotum with whitish pile except for broad black-pilose fascia between wing bases (Fig. 27 B); tergum 2 black (mostly reddish yellow in other species of the pruni group); tergum 2 with whitish to yellow pile, and terga 3 and 4 covered with yellow to reddish pilosity (Fig. 26 C); legs black; calcar on metatrochanter distinct; metafemur curved and covered with long, dense pilosity (Fig. 25 B); sternum 3 medially with distinct pilosity (Fig. 30 B: marked with arrow); sternum 4 in Fig. 28 B. Male genitalia in Fig. 35. Similar to Merodon clavipes and M. quadrinotatus from which it clearly differs by its short basoflagellomere, which is as long as broad (as on Fig. 24 A) (basoflagellomere> 2 × longer than wide in M. clavipes (Fig. 2 A) and M. quadrinotatus (Fig. 2 C)).

Distribution and biology.

The species is solely distributed in Turkey (Fig. 34; Suppl. material 2), including the eastern Pontic and Taurus mountains belonging to the Irano-Anatolian hotspot. These chains of high mountains form a natural barrier between the Mediterranean Basin and the dry plateaux of Western Asia. This topographically complex and extensive system of mountains and closed basins includes major parts of central and eastern Turkey. Historically, the mountains have served both as refuge and corridor between the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia, giving rise to multiple patches of local endemism. The principal habitat of the species inside the hotspot is mountainous forest steppe, supporting oak-dominant ( Quercus spp.) deciduous forests (CEPF 2022). Flight period: June / August. Developmental stages: not described.