Eight species of the ground beetle genus Calosoma are reported from the southern Levant (Egypt (Sinai), Israel, Jordan) and adjacent areas in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. The reports of one species were probably due to mislabelling. An illustrated identification key for the species in the region is provided. The current state of knowledge on ecological traits (e.g. dispersal power, phenology and prey) and distribution range, especially in the southern Levant, of the treated Calosoma species is summarized. Additional information about taxonomy and identification of the species is also provided.
We dedicate this work to Vladimir Chikatunov, a curator of the Coleoptera
Collection of the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University,
Israel, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. He supported us in many different
ways in our work with carabids from Israel and neighbouring countries. Some
of us particularly remember the excellent excursions he led to the Negev and the
Golan Heights.
KEYWORDS: Coleoptera, Carabidae, Carabini, ground beetles, identification
key, species traits, taxonomy, Palaearctic, climate change, poleward shift.