Picromerus bidens (Linnaeus, 1758)

Cimex bidens Linnaeus, 1758: 443; Cimex bilobus Schrank, 1781: 268; Picromerus fuscoannulatus Stål, 1858: 176; Picromerus longicollis Jakovlev, 1902: 335 .

Distribution in Iran. East Azarbaijan (Sadaghian et al. 2004; Nikdel et al. 2011), Kordestan (Sakenin et al. 2010; Samin et al. 2011a), Mazandaran (Mohaghegh 2008), Northern Iran (no locality cited) (Mohaghegh 2006), Iran (no locality cited) (Rider 2006; Mohaghegh 2008; Aukema et al. 2013).

General distribution. Palearctic, mentioned from Algeria but this location seems doubtfull; it is known in USA and Canada.

Comments. This species is predator of gypsy moth larvae, Lymantria dispar (L.) ( Lepidoptera: Lymantridae) in the forest areas of Iran (Nikdel et al. 2011), it can attack big caterpillars like those of Cossus sp. ( Lepidoptera: Cossidae), and also feeds on Gilpinia frutetorum (Fabricius) ( Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) (Péricart 2010).