5. Brachinus (s. str.) plagiatus Reiche, 1868

Figs 2 D, 5 A

Habitat and general distribution.

Brachinus plagiatus is a Turano-Mediterranean species (Hrdlička 2017). The species is associated with saline fields and marshes (Nyilas 1994), but also freshwater lakes and ponds (Austin et al. 2008).

Material examined.

Heraklion: • Almyros estuary, salt-marsh, 35.338506°N, 25.061404°E, 2 m elev., 3.V.2012 – 3.VI.2013, pitfall traps, 1 spm, leg. Aspradaki E. (NHMC) ; • same data, but in phrygana .

Comments.

Brachinus plagiatus was recorded for the first time from Greece (Corfu, Attiki, Aetoloakarnania and Zakynthos) by von Oertzen (1886) as B. bombarda . Peloponnese (Tayget, Nauplio) was later on added in the Greek distribution of the species (Apfelbeck 1904). To our knowledge, this is the first record of this species in Crete. The species was found in a saline environment in the marsh formed by the delta of Almyros estuary. The species’ distribution in Crete requires further investigation. Whether this is a recent dispersal or an old relictual presence, is unclear.