Zanchius breviceps (Wagner, 1951)

(Fig. 11A)

Material examined. TURKEY: MUĞLA: Bodrum, 37°03′59.1″N 27°15′02.3″E, 31.vii.2012, 1 3, B. Çerçi det. and leg. (BCIT); Fethiye, 36°54′36.2″N 28°45′21.2″E, 30.viii.2015, 1 3, B. Çerçi det. and leg. (BCIT); İZMIR: Urla, 38°18′33.9″N 26°43′47.8″E: 22.viii.2018, 1 3, B. Çerçi det. and leg.(BCIT).

Collection circumstances. On Ficus sp., attracted to light trap as well.

Comment. Zanchius is a very diverse genus with most species distributed in tropical Africa and the East Palaearctic Region (LINNAVUORI 1994b, KERZHNER & JOSIFOV 1999). Zanchius alatanus Hoberlandt, 1956, described from Turkey (Mersin: Alata), was considered the single representative of this genus in Turkey. Zanchius breviceps was originally described from Egypt (WAGNER 1951). Later it was discovered to occur in tropical Africa from Nigeria to Eritrea, in most parts of the Middle East, in Cyprus and Crete (KERZHNER & JOSIFOV 1999). It was reported to be associated with Trichilia emetica (Meliaceae) (LINNAVUORI 1975), Abutilon sp., Gossypium sp. (both Malvaceae) (LINNAVUORI 1994b), and Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae) (LINNAVUORI 2009). Recently, this species was discovered in Malta associated with a new plant, Ficus sp. (MIFSUD et al. 2012). The first author too observed this species on Ficus sp. in İzmir and Muğla (Figure 5E). They were abundant on every Ficus sp. tree checked in İzmir. This species can be easily distinguished from Z. alatanus by the lack of middle red rings on the second antennal segment.

Distribution in Turkey. İzmir, Muğla (this work).