Information: Meloe decorus, described by Brandt & Erichson in 1832.
The imago is generally blackish-blue to metallic dark blue, with the head and pronotum exhibiting a distinct bluish to violet sheen. The body is strongly flattened, and the head is triangular in shape. The head, pronotum, and elytra are distinctly and rather densely punctured, with the surface between punctures appearing glossy. The elytra are strongly wrinkled, with weakly developed carinae present only in the shoulder region.
Possible confusion with Meloe uralensis: Due to body shape, Meloe decorus may be confused with Meloe uralensis. However, M. uralensis lacks any metallic or colored sheen on the head and pronotum and is uniformly black. In addition, the elytra of M. uralensis are smooth, unlike the distinctly punctured and wrinkled elytra of M. decorus.
Body length: 11 - 20 mm
Peak activity: January - May
Remarks: Meloe decorus is a localized species distributed in the southern part of Central Europe, particularly in its eastern regions to Central Asia. It primarily inhabits xerothermic slopes and sandy areas. It is one of the earliest spring species – adults emerge early in the season, during which time they feed on various plant species.
The species occurs mainly in well-preserved steppe and meadow habitats that support a diverse assemblage of hymenopteran insects, which serve as hosts for its parasitic larval stage.
Distribution: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine
Zoogeographic region: Palearctic
Taxonomic classification:
Material examined (& observation):
Czech Republic 
South Moravia Region
Dunajovické Hills Protected Area (Dunajovické kopce)
2km W of Dolní Dunajovice
(GPS) 
Altitude 260 m a.s.l. | 26.4.2025, 29.3.2021
Our observation period: February ~ April 
Sampling Methods: in grassy vegetation 
Czechia
