Saprinus (Saprinus) chalcites (Illiger, 1807)

Shayya, Salman, Degallier, Nicolas, Nel, Andre, Azar, Dany & Lackner, Tomas, 2018, Contribution to the knowledge of Saprinus Erichson, 1834 of forensic relevance from Lebanon (Coleoptera, Histeridae), ZooKeys 738, pp. 117-152 : 121-123

4. Saprinus (Saprinus) chalcites (Illiger, 1807) Figs 5 , 25 , 26-34 , 82 , 86a

Hister chalcites Illiger, 1807

Hister chalcites = Hister affinis Paykull, 1811

Hister chalcites = Saprinus aerosus Normand & Thérond, 1952

Hister chalcites = Saprinus melanocephalus Normand & Thérond, 1952

Hister chalcites = Saprinus prolongatus Normand & Thérond, 1952

Hister chalcites = Saprinus scapularis Normand & Thérond, 1952

Type locality.

Portugal.

Distribution.

Mediterranean subregion, Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, India, Burma, Australia ( Mazur 2011). Newly reported from Lebanon (Hasbaya, Fanar, Badghan, Deir El-Ahmar, Naas; Fig. 82 ).

Biology.

Saprinus chalcites is a widespread flying predator found on carcasses, rotting vegetable substances, as well as in dung. According to Kryzhanovskij and Reichardt (1976), large numbers of this species have also been found on flowering Stink lily ( Dracunculus vulgaris Schott, 1832). In our samples, we collected 129 specimens, most abundantly during the active decay stage. Several specimens were likewise collected during the advanced decay stage after the departure of Diptera larvae from the carcasses.

Figures

Figure 5. Saprinus (S.) chalcites (Illiger, 1807) habitus, dorsal view.

Figure 25. Saprinus (S.) chalcites (Illiger, 1807) metaventrite + abdomnen.

Figure 82. Distribution of S. (S.) caerulescens caerulescens, S. (S.) calatravensis, S. (S.) chalcites, and S. (S.) godet in Lebanon.

Figure 86. Abundance of Saprinus (S.) chalcites (86 a) and S. (S.) godet (86 b) during the decomposition stages in different Lebanese localities.

Figures 26 - 34. 26 Saprinus (S.) chalcites (Illiger, 1807) male genitalia: 8 th sternite and tergite, ventral view 27 8 th sternite and tergite, dorsal view 28 8 th sternite and tergite, lateral view 29 9 th + 10 th tergites, dorsal view 30 9 th + 10 th tergites, lateral view 31 spiculum gastrale (9 th sternite), ventral view 32 spiculum gastrale (9 th sternite), lateral view 33 aedeagus, dorsal view 34 aedeagus, lateral view.