Information: Meloe murinus, described by Brandt & Erichson in 1832.
A rare species of the southern Mediterranean. Found in the central-southern Iberian Peninsula, Sardinia, Sicily, Greece and North Africa. It has been reported from Corsica, but although the record is plausible, it has never been confirmed. Distribution in Italy only in Sardinia and Sicily.
Body length: 7 - 19 mm
Peak activity: October - May
Remarks: A thermophilic species inhabiting lowland and hilly environments. Adults are nocturnal. Activity period ranges from January to May and from October to December, with probable hibernation in the soil by individuals that emerge in autumn.
Species long confused with M. ganglbaueri Apfelbeck, 1905.
Distribution: Algeria, Greece (Crete), France (Corse), Italy (Sicilia, Sardinia), Libya, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia
Zoogeographic region: Palearctic
Taxonomic classification:
Material examined (& observation):
Italy 
Sicily
Caltanissetta Province
Riserva Naturale Orientata Sughereta di Niscemi
7km SE of Niscemi
(GPS) 
Altitude 300 m a.s.l. | 14.11.-5.12.2020
Our observation period: November ~ December
Sampling Methods: in grassy vegetation 
Italy
