23.

Fig. 4 D

Habitat and general distribution.

Agonum viridicupreum has a wide distribution in West Palaearctic (Arndt et al. 2011). The species prefers open wet habitats with warm temperatures (meadows, open wetlands, fens and floodplains) (Arndt et al. 2011; Drees et al. 2011). It exhibits some tolerance to saline environments (Arndt et al. 2011) and has fluctuations in its range, driven by climate change (Drees et al. 2011).

Material examined.

• Heraklion: Dikti Mountain, Omalos Viannou plateau, in a temporary wetland, 35.072394°N, 25.450799°E, 1334 m elev., 16.X.2014, handpicking, 1 spm, leg. Pavlou Chr. (NHMC); • same data, but 16.X.2014 – 8.12.2014, 974 spms; • same data, but 9.V.2015 – 23.VII.2015, 87 spms.

Comments.

Agonum viridicupreum is reported in Greece from the Greek mainland (excluding Peloponnese) and Ionian islands (Arndt et al. 2011), but no further records exist of A. viridicupreum in Crete. The species was found in a temporary pond with grass and wetland vegetation (Juncus spp. etc.), on a mountain plateau (Omalos Viannou, Dikti Mountain). Perimetrical to the pond, the plateau forms a mixed dehesa-like forest with Quercus coccifera, Crataegus and Acer. This combination of a wet meadow in a warm environment fits the description of the species’ habitat provided by Drees et al. (2011) who also stress the species’ tendency to expand its range towards the northern areas of Palaearctic. Based on the attention given to the southern limits of A. viridicupreum ’ s distribution by Drees et al. (2011), our records could be useful for a better understanding of the species’ range expansion-contraction dynamics.