Cantharis (Cantharis) melaspis (Chevrolat, 1854)

Cantharis atrofoveolatus Pic, 1918: 22 . Locus typicus: “Perse” (coll. Pic). [synonymized by Wittmer 1971: 231].

Distribution in Iran. Alborz: Karadj (Wittmer 1967). Golestan: Golae Lovae, Dashtnazir, 750- 1,400 m (Wittmer 1971, 1972), Gorgan (Wittmer 1967). Guilan: Lenkoran, Caspian Sea (Wittmer 1971, 1972), Assalem, 80 km NW of Bandar-Anzali (Wittmer 1967), Assalem, 1,300 m (Wittmer 1971, 1972), Rood-bar-Gazvin, 900- 1,500 m (Wittmer 1971, 1972). Kerman: Kuh-e Lalezar (Švihla 1999). Khorasan (Koçak & Kemal 2015). Lorestan (Wittmer 1971, 1972). Mazandaran: Alamdeh, 500-900 m (Wittmer 1971, 1972), Chalus (Wittmer 1967, 1971, 1972), Kalardacht (Wittmer 1967; Švihla 1999). North Khorasan: Bojnourd (Wittmer 1967, 1971 [1,100 m], 1972 [1,100 m]). Razavi Khorasan: Binalud Mts. (Švihla 1999). Tehran: Polour, 2,100-2,200 m (Wittmer 1971, 1972), Polour-Abali, 2,100-2,600 m (Wittmer 1971, 1972), Golhak, Elburs, 1,700 m (Wittmer 1971, 1972). Generic records: C. Iran (Švihla 1999), Iran (Baudi di Selve 1873 [Persia sept., G. Doria leg.]; Hicker 1925 [Persia, as Cantharis atrofoveolatus]; Delkeskamp 1939 [Persia, as Cantharis atrofoveolata], 1977 [Persia, as Cantharis atrofoveolata]; Kazantsev 2004, 2011; Kazantsev & Brancucci 2007; Yildirim et al. 2011; Kerimova & Huseynova 2014).

Distribution outside Iran. Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, (Švihla 1999; Kazantsev & Brancucci 2007; Yildirim et al. 2011; Koçak & Kemal 2015), Turkmenistan (Švihla 1999; Koçak & Kemal 2015).

Remarks. This species is highly variable in colour. In Central Iran, also the aedeagus appears variable (Švihla 1999). The record for Tunisia (Wittmer 1971) is probably incorrect due to the considerable distance from the type locality.