Rhaesus serricollis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prioninae) is classified as “near threatened” on the European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles (Nieto and Alexander 2010). Assimilation of information on this species is critical to efforts to protect this species from extinction in the Mediterranean basin. The Mediterranean basin extends approximately 3,800 km east to west from the tip of Portugal to the shores of Lebanon and approximately 1,000 km north to south from Italy to Morocco and Libya. Within the European Union, the Mediterranean Region encompasses seven countries, either partially (France, Portugal, Italy, Spain) or completely (Greece, Malta, Cyprus) (Sundseth and Brussels 2009). The region is recognized for its floral and faunal biodiversity. Between 15,000 and 25,000 species of plants are distributed there, 60% of which are unique to the region. About one-third of the Mediterranean fauna is endemic (International Union for Conservation of Nature 2012). In many cases, information is incomplete regarding trends in biodiversity, especially with marine organisms, in the region; yet, there are sufficient data demonstrating that biodiversity in the region is at severe risk. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, 19% of faunal species (amphibians, birds, cartilaginous fishes, endemic freshwater fishes, crabs and crayfish, mammals, dragonflies, and reptiles) are threatened with extinction (5% Critically Endangered, 7% Endangered, 7% Vulnerable) (Vlachogianni et al. 2012). Insect diversity in the region is also high, with most representatives in the Order Coleoptera. The coleopteran fauna of Turkey alone is estimated to include >25,000 species (Koçak and Kemal 2009).

Turkey plays an important geographic and ecological role in safeguarding biodiversity within its borders as well as in neighboring countries and regions. Turkey is positioned at an intersection of geographical regions with large climatic and geographical gradients as well as a diversity of ecosystems and habitats (International Union for Conservation of Nature 2012, Kahraman et al. 2011). Biodiversity in Turkey is under severe pressure, and region-wide conservation efforts must be implemented to avoid extinction of threatened species. Such conservation efforts can be aided by identification of emblematic umbrella species to help market, advertise, and generate public support.

Of the many habitats and species threatened in Turkey, the deadwood habitat of native broadleaf tree species is one that is under severe pressure (Avcı et al. 2010, Coşkun et al. 2010, Gürkan et al. 2010). Rhaesus serricollis is among the saproxylic beetles of that habitat and, in Europe, is considered Near Threatened (Nieto and Alexander 2010). Thus, the primary objective of this paper is to define the known distribution of this insect along with information on its ecological habits and host plants. In addition, a bibliography of previous studies related to this species is included.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive review of the scientific literature was conducted to delineate the known distribution of R. serricollis. Host plants and ecological habits were recorded when available. Additional surveys for this insect were conducted by many researchers and are reported herein. We included information and data that are important in assessing the level of threat to the species. These protocols included geographic range, population data, and habitat preferences (International Union for Conservation of Nature 2012, Nieto and Alexander 2010).

Results and Discussion

Reported occurrence in Turkey.

Rhaesus serricollis is reported as occurring in 14 of Turkey's 81 provinces (Fig. 1). These are Adana, Antalya, Bilecik, Burdur, Denizli, Düzce, Hatay, İçel, İstanbul, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Konya, Muğla, and Osmaniye provinces. It also has been recorded from the Toros Mountains. Location reports along with specific citation(s) of those reports are listed in Table 1.

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Table 1. Distribution of Rhaesus serricollis in Turkey by province, with bibliographic citation of occurrence.

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Reported occurrence outside Turkey.

Rhaesus serricollis is recorded from the Balkan peninsula from Dalmatia to southern Greece, Europe (Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, European Turkey), Southeast Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Transcaucasia (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia), Iran, Syria, Cyprus, Israel, the Near East, Lebanon, and North Africa. It also has been introduced into Egypt (Özdikmen 2014). Citations of confirmed occurrence of R. serricollis are listed in Table 2, and the recorded distribution is shown in Fig. 1.

Table 2. Reported global occurrence of Rhaesus serricollis , with bibliographic citations.

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