Eusphecia pimplaeformis (OBERTHÜR 1872)

Garrevoet, T., Garrevoet, W. & Özbek, H., 2007, Data on the Geographic Distribution of Sesiidae (Lepidoptera) in Turkey, Linzer biologische Beiträge 39 (2), pp. 929-953 : 932

Eusphecia pimplaeformis (OBERTHÜR 1872)

M a t e r i a l: Erzurum: Pasinler , N39°59'20.2" E41°43'45.4", 13-07-2001 (adult and pupae) ; Atatürk University Campus , 14.07.2006, (adult) (C. Güclü) .

D i s t r i b u t i o n: eastern Macedonia, north-eastern Greece, southern Bulgaria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran KALLIES & ŠPATENKA (2003a), Russia (Caucasus, Krasnodar, Makhachkala), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan (Nakhichevan).

R e m a r k s: a rare and very local species throughout Turkey because suitable biotopes are scarce. This species needs very old Populus alba trees (or Salix sp.). These trees are becoming increasingly rare since poplar trees are mostly cut when they are still rather young. Most of the older trees where standing along main roads between cities but these were cut in numbers recently to broaden the roads. However, we are pleased that this species was recorded on the Campus of the Atatürk University in Erzurum where big poplar trees, particularly P. alba , are abundant. Attention should be paid to this species although it does (not yet) deserve the "Red List" status.