Information: Meloe autumnalis, described by A.G. Olivier in 1797.
The nominate form of this species is widespread but rare throughout its range. It is black with a purplish or bluish sheen. The body surface is finely wrinkled and strongly sculptured. The pronotum (front shield) is prominently arched, roughly bell-shaped, wider than long and coarsely punctate, without a longitudinal groove
Body length: 8 - 23 mm
Peak activity: September - December (January), April - May
Remarks: Meloe autumnalis ssp. autumnalis, It inhabits warm habitats in lowland and foothill to mountainous areas, especially on grassy slopes, forest edges, in sparse stands, in fields, borders and pastures. Adults are most often found in autumn, from September to November, and in spring, in April and May.
A widespread species, mainly inhabiting central Europe, isolated occurrence in Switzerland, France and southern England or in Transylvania, also reported from Asia and North Africa.
The subspecies heydeni Escherich, 1889 is endemic to Sicily.
Distribution: Albania, Algeria,Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic?, France, Hungary, Germany, Great Britain, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Macedonia, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Serbia, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine
Zoogeographic region: Palearctic
Taxonomic classification:
Material examined (& observation):
Italy 
Lazio Province, RM
Parco Naturale Regionale Monti Simbruini
Mount Livata
(GPS) 
Altitude 1445 m a.s.l. | 25.10.2020
Our observation period: October ~ November
Sampling Methods: in grassy vegetation 
Italy
