Calosoma (Caminara) olivieri Dejean, 1831

Length 20-28 mm. C. olivieri is characterized by a small, just transverse, pronotum. As for the elytral sculpture, it consists of scaly intervals not much raised but recognizable, The intervals are all of the same width and height ("homodyname" type) and there are two tertiary intervals on each sides of a secondary one ("pentaploïde" type).
C. olivieri is meet in a very wide area from the Atlantic coast of Africa, to the Indian peninsula and the Central Asia without significant changes in its morphology. It is known of the Azores, the Canaries and Cabo Verde islands, and recently several specimens have been found in Cameroon, unexpectedly expanding its range to equatorial Africa.
From the Atlantic coast, C. olivieri is then present across northern Africa in all the Mediterranean Countries, at the northern edge of the Sahara and in Egypt. Furthermore it is present, and in some cases relatively abundant, in southern Anatolia (including the island of Cyprus), Asia Minor, Iraq, Syria, Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan up to Kazakhistan.
Possibly as an occasional visitor, C. olivieri has also been found in Spain (Branes, 1990; Serrano, 2003: 14), in the the Maltese Islands (Mifsud & Vigna Taglianti, 1999: 27) and in Italy, in the islands of Lampedusa (Vigna Taglianti, 1995: 364) and Pantelleria (Romano, 2010), and at Palermo (Sparacio, 2003).

Examined specimens and literature’s data
Afghanistan. Nangharkhar prov: Jalalabad (SB); Kabul (Mandl, 1955: 325); Nuristan prov: Bashgul valley (Mandl, 1955: 325); Bamiyan prov: Band-e Amir (http://molbiol.ru/); Parwan prov: Bagram env (SB) Kandahar (www.inaturalist.org)
Algeria. Ain Sefra, Sebdou, El-Kreider, Tilremt, El-Kantara, Biskra, Mgruega (Bedel, 1895: 20), Laghouat (SB); Oran (RMCA); Beni Abbes (SB); Tamanrasset (ex coll. A Vandel), Béchar (Colomb-Béchar) (Jeannel, 1940:117)
Azores Islands (Portugal). Corvo (Jeannel, 1940:117); Flores (Jeannel, 1940:117): Lajes das Flores (www.inaturalist.org); Fajal (Bruno, 1967: 105; Gabriel & al., 2005: 198); Graciosa: Santa Cruz da Graciosa (www.inaturalist.org); Pico (Bruno, 1967: 105; Gabriel & al., 2005: 198); Santa Maria (as azoricum, Heer, 1860: VI; Godman,1870: 58); São Jorge: Velas (www.inaturalist.org), (www.inaturalist.org); São Miguel: Varzea, São Vicente Ferreira (Serrano, 2012: 328), Salga, Vila Franca do Campo, Água de Pau, Ponta Delgada, Sete Cidades (www.inaturalist.org); Terceira: Near Lagoa de Ginjal (Serrano, 2012: 328), Angra do Heroísmo, Biscoitos (www.inaturalist.org).
Cabo Verde (Republic of). Ilha de Boa Vista (Oromí & al., 2005: 79): Curral Velho (Bruno, 1967: 105); Ilha Brava (Jeannel, 1940:117): Mt. Fontainhas 800-900m, Nova Sintra, Lem, Covada 420m, Santana 490m (Aistleitner & Baehr 2016: 53); Ilha do Fogo (Oromí & al., 2005: 79): Chã das Chaldeiras 1650-1700m (Aistleitner & Baehr 2016: 53); Ilha de Santo Antão: Tarrafal de Monte Trigo (Bruno, 1967: 105), Cova (Herbert, 1987: 97), Lagoa 1250m (Aistleitner & Baehr 2016: 53), Boca de Coruja (www.inaturalist.org); Ilha de São Nicolau (Jeannel, 1940:117); Ilha do Sal (Oromí & al., 2005: 79): Feijoal (Bruno, 1967: 105); Ilha de Santiago (Oromí & al., 2005: 79): Praia (Bruno, 1967: 105); Ilha de São Vicente (Wollaston, 1865: 3)
Cameroon. Central Province: Mbalmayo (site d’Ebogo) (MRB).
Canaries Islands (Spain). El Hierro: Mirador de Bascos 650m (Machado, 1992: 90); La Gomera: Valle Gran Rey, Torián, San Sebastián (Machado, 1992: 90); La Palma: Los Llanos (Machado, 1992: 90); Tenerife: San Cristobal de la Laguna, Valle de Guerra, Cañadas de Teide (Bruno, 1967: 105), Las Galletas, El Médano (Machado, 1992: 90); Gran Canaria: Pozo de Nieves (Bruno, 1967: 105), Maspalomas, Cruz de Tejeda 1550m, Tufia (Machado, 1992: 90), Teide (www.inaturalist.org); Fuerteventura (Wollaston, 1865: 3): Montaña de la Muda (Bruno, 1967: 105), Tuineje, Morro del Peñón, (University of La Laguna, gbif.org), Playa de Jandía, Pico de la Zarza (Jandía) 500m, Jandía 700m, Betancuria (Machado, 1992: 90), Caleta de Fuste (www.inaturalist.org); Lanzarote (Wollaston, 1865: 3): Timanfaya N.P. (Bruno, 1967: 105), Arrecife (Machado, 1992: 90), Costa Teguise (www.inaturalist.org).
Cyprus. Nicosia: Peristerona (SB), Lykabittos (www.inaturalist.org); Paphos: Amargheti, Mamonia, Peyia (www.inaturalist.org); Lemesos: Agias Zonis (www.inaturalist.org), Akrotiri peninsula (Austin & al., 2011)
Egypt. Assuan gov: Kom Ombo (Alfieri, 1976: 3); Cairo Gov: El Maadi (Assmann et al., 2020: 148), Cairo (Breuning, 1927: 224), Marsa Alam (www.entomologiitaliani.net), Ghizeh, Abu Rawash, Mokattam (Schatzmayr, 1936: 24), Heliopolis (Alfieri, 1976: 3); Nile Delta (Schatzmayr, 1936: 24); North Sinai: El Kosseima, Wadi Um Mitla (Alfieri, 1976: 3), Santa Katarina, Jebel Ahmar (Assmann et al., 2020: 148); South Sinai: South Sinai Desert (Semida & al., 2001: 145), Nowebaa – Taba, Saint Catherine (www.inaturalist.org/); Red Sea Gov: Wadi Abu Ghuşun (SB), El Qoseir, Ras Gharib, Port Ghalib (www.inaturalist.org/), Hurghada (JM).
Iran. Fars: Dashte Arjan, (Azadbakhsh et al. 2015c: 20); Golestan: Ramian (Ghahari & al., 2009: 439); Kerman: Zarand (57º03'E 30º81'N), Anar (55º35'E 30º32'N), Jiroft (58º3'E 28º3'N) (Sadeghi & al., 2011: 189), Sabzawaran, Hosseinabad (Mandl, 1953: 55); Khorasan: Khunik pass, 2100 m (SB, TL), Kashmar (Ghahari & al., 2009: 439), Mashhad, Torbat-e-Jam (Namaghi & al., 2010: 200); Khuzestan: Shavur (Ebay); Hormozgan prov: Posht-Koh Village (Azadbakhsh & al., 2015: 226); Lorestan: SW Dorud (SB); Mazandaran prov. Behshahr (Ghahari & al., 2009: 439); Sarbishe prov: Kuh E Momenabad, 2200 m (SB); Semnan prov: Tahar 2100 m (SB); Sistan and Baluchistan: Dasht 1000 m (SB), Dasht-e Lut (PP), 40km W Jaz Murian Depression (Mandl, 1953: 55), Bampur, Sarbaz (Mandl, 1967: 44); Zanjan: Zanjan (Azadbakhsh et al. 2015c: 20).
Iraq. Bagdad (holotype, MNHN); Najaf (www.inaturalist.org); Diyala: Bakuba (= Baʿqūba) (Mandl: 1967; 458); Al-Basrah: Basrah (Andrewes, 1929: 64), Abu al Khasib (www.inaturalist.org); Ninive: Mosul (http://veterinarymedicine.uomosul.edu.iq/); Kurdistan: 35km NW from Erbil (SB), 55Km NW from Sulaymaniyah (SB); Al Anbar Gov: Wádí al Hazimi (Assmann et al., 2020: 148); Salah ad Din: Balad (www.inaturalist.org).
Israel. Northern District: Haifa, Nahariya, Acre (www.inaturalist.org); Mount Hermon: Majdal Shams (Assmann et al., 2020: 148); Golan Heights: Merom Golan (Assmann et al., 2020: 148); Hula Valley: Dan, Kefar Szold, Ne'ot Mordekhay, Nehemya (Assmann et al., 2020: 148), Nahal Snir (Assmann et al., 2020: 149); Upper Galilee: Mt Kfir 950m, Birya (Assmann et al., 2020: 148), Karmiel, Mahanayim (Assmann et al., 2020: 149); Lower Galilee: Quiryat Tivon (EO), Kfar HaHoresh, Kokhav HaYarden (Assmann et al., 2020: 148); Carmel Ridge: Mt Carmel (Assmann et al., 2020: 148); Northern Coastal Plain: Qiryat Hayyim, Ma'agan Mikha'el (Assmann et al., 2020: 148), Baqa el Gharbiya, Qedumim, Gadot (Assmann et al., 2020: 149); Central Coastal Plain: Ashdod Gan HaDarom (AL), Netanya, Apolonia (Assmann et al., 2020: 148), Bet Berl, Hod haSharon, Tel Aviv, Giv'atayim, Bat Yam (Assmann et al., 2020: 149), Tel Aviv-Yafo (www.inaturalist.org); Judean Hills: Zur Hadassa, Bet Shemesh, Jerusalem, (Assmann et al., 2020: 149); Dead Sea Area: Arava Valley, Hazeva (EO); 'Enot Zuqim, Nahal Qumeran, 'En Gedi, 'En Boqeq, Bir Asluj (Assmann et al., 2020: 149); Judean Desert: Nahal Perat, Mar Saba (Assmann et al., 2020: 149); Northern Negev: Hazerim (SB), Ezuz (AL), Be’er Sheva (SB), Lahav, Ne'ot Hovav, Tutun, Southern 'Arava Valley (Assmann et al., 2020: 149), Ketura (www.inaturalist.org), Madaba Governorate: Madaba (Assmann et al., 2020: 149); Central Negev: Ma'agar Yeroham, Retamim, 'En Zin, Sede Boqer, Nahal Nafha, Nahal Zin. Borot Loz 930m, Upper Nahal Nizzana, Mizpe Ramon, Makhtesh Ramon (Assmann et al., 2020: 149; Southern Negev: Nahal 'Amram, Elat, 'Iddan, Hazeva, Shezaf Nature Reserve, Be'er Menuha, Gerofit, 'En Yotvata, Elifaz, Timna', Be'er Ora (Assmann et al., 2020: 149)
Italy. Pantelleria, contrada Bugeber (MR) (www.entomologiitaliani.net ); Lampedusa, contrada Tepranova (MR) (Vigna Taglianti, 1995: 364); Palermo, Quartiere Cruillas (Sparacio, 2003)
Jordan. Wadi Rum (SB), Al-Azraq-Lodge (Assmann et al., 2020: 149); Madaba, Beit Tsaida Zachi Reserve (www.inaturalist.org), Shoubak, Gadisia, Karak, Ma’an, Tafilah, Al Bserah, Al Quadesiah, Al Deasy, Al Sherah mts, Al Qwerah, Saab, Al Madinah, Amman, Al Reydiah, Al Jasmin (Asoufi et al., 2019: 8661), Petra (www.entomologiitaliani.net)
Kazakhistan. South Kazakhistan: Suzakskiy (www.inaturalist.org)
Kuwait. Mischan Island, Erifjan, Kathma, Khwasat, Sha`ab, Rhawdatin, Burgan, Jal Al-Zor, Sobiya, Doha, Atraf, Jabriya, Khaldya (Al-Houty, 2004: 63); Mubarak Al-Kabeer (www.inaturalist.org); Hawalli: Anjafa, Salmiya, Salwa, Bayan(www.inaturalist.org); Al Ahmadi, Ahmad Al Jaber air base, Al Jahrah (www.inaturalist.org); Farwaniyah: Ardiya (www.inaturalist.org)
Liban. Tripoli (AL)
Libya. Brizì Ullià (EM), Taworga (RMCA), Tripolitania: Audjila-Dialo (Bedel, 1895: 20), Ghadames (http://jcringenbach.free.fr/); Mizda (Boll. Ist. Ent. Univ. Bologna, 33-34, 1977: 68); Bengasi: Tilimùn (sub azoricum) (Gridelli, 1930: 12)
Malta. Valletta (Mifsud & Vigna Taglianti, 1999: 27)
Mauritania. Zouerate (SB)
Morocco. Bir Yelma ? (SB); Agadir: Agadir (SB), Cap Rhir, 10km SW Tamri (SB); Drâa-Tafilalet: Tarmigt (www.inaturalist.org); Essauira: Mogador (Bedel, 1895: 20); Figuig: Bouarfa (http://www.ebay.it/); Ifrane: Azrou (SB); Rabat:, Anti Atlas Mts. 1000m (Iaadlane) (sub C. maderae, www.biolib.cz); Souss-Massa-Draa: Achdad (www.inaturalist.org); Tan-Tan (http://www.ebay.it/); Western Sahara: Laayoune (RMCA, EM), Smamit (RMCA); Dora (RMCA)
Oman. Imti 600 m (SB); Mahdah (AL); Muscat (Andrewes, 1929: 64); Wadi Muqshin 120m (SB); Al Hamra: Snake Canyon (www.inaturalist.org)
Pakistan. Punjab: Pindi Gheb (EM); Balochistan: Quetta (SB), Nushki (Andrewes, 1929: 64); Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Kohat (NIM), Karak (NIM), Peshawar, Taru (Andrewes, 1929: 66); Sindh: Jacobabad (SB); Jammu and Kashmir: Mirpur (NIM).
Palestina. West Bank: Ramallah and Al-Bireh (www.inaturalist.org)
Qatar. Al Rayyan: Ras al Ghariya (www.inaturalist.org).
Saudi Arabia. Ramanah (AMNH); Riyadh (Wittmer & al., 1979: 527); Riyadh prov. NE of Quwayiyah 728m (SB), Al Khasrah 864m (SB); Thumamah National Park, 84km N of Riyadh (Mateu, 1990: 39); Hedjaz (Mateu, 1990: 39); Al Madinah (www.inaturalist.org); Makkah prov, Taif (SB); Asir Principality: Sha’ar 1750m. (SB); Asir Principality: Sha’ar 1750m. (SB)
Spain. Málaga prov: Mijas (Serrano, 2003: 14)
Sudan. Red Sea province: 175 km NE of Atbara (SB)
Syria. Damascus (Jeannel, 1940: 118), 42 km. N. Damascus 1000 m (SB); Slinfe 1336m. (SB), Homs, Hama (Asoufi et al., 2019: 8661), Palmyra (Assmann et al., 2020: 149), Tartus (www.inaturalist.org)
Tunisia. Gafsa, Bled Thala (Bedel, 1895: 20); Djebel Tebaga (EM); Tozeur (EM); Gabes, Matmata (SB)
Turkey. Adana, (Jeannel, 1940: 118); Malatya: Nemrut dagi (SB); Şanlıurfa: Birecik (SB); Antalya: Çamyuva (www.inaturalist.org)
Turkmenistan. Karakum (AL); Askhabad, Merw (Breun., 1927: 225); Repetek (Breun., 1927: 225), Repetek Nat. reserve (SB); Lotfabad (Ljutfabad) (Breun., 1927: 225)
United Arab Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah (www.biolib.cz/), Shardza (Al Sharjah) (SB)
Uzbekistan. Samarkand (Breun., 1927: 225)

Notes: The species was named after Guillaume-Antoine Olivier (1756 –1814) a famous French entomologist and botanist.
C. olivieri is winged, attracted to light at night. According to the data given by Jeannel (1940: 118), in Tunisia, the larva feeds on caterpillar and lavae of Diptera. The adults have been observed in Pakistan catching caterpillar of Cirphis unipunctata or nymphs of Schistocerca gregaria.
C. olivieri lays in average 300 eggs at winter and eggs hatch at the beginning of spring. The larvae feed on small caterpillars and other insects 10-14 days then to pupa for one week and finally to adult. The cycle from the hatching of the egg to adult needs about 24 days to one month (Asoufi et al., 2019: 8662).
Considering the wide area of diffusion, active individuals of C. olivieri can be observed quite all year around. In particular, In the southern semi-desertic areas the species seems more abundat from the early spring to July and absent only in the short period of the summer, the more dry and hot of the year
As it happens with most species of Calosoma, in the case of C. olivieri, sudden and showy invasions of numerous specimens can occur in agrarian or urban areas, due to local climatic conditions that increase the availability of prey. In the unusually rainy spring of 2019, this is what happened in most countries of Middle East. The sudden appearance of the Calosoma in the urban areas in Mosul in Iraq (http://veterinarymedicine.uomosul.edu.iq/news_details.php?details=978), in Jordan and in Syria (Asoufi et al., 2019) has worried the citizens and some kind of reassurances from the authorities have been needed. In Saudi Arabia, at the mosques of Mecca, Medina, crews of cleaners had to vacuum piles of the insects. Also the presence of some living specimens of C. olivieri, that, in the same period, arrived at an North Adriatic port (Slovenia) transported with a shipment of potatoes from Israel (personal communication to the author), is certainly due to the unusual abundance of Calosoma in the cultivated fields of that country.
Mayet (1887: 171) described the larva.

Calosoma (Caminara) olivieri ♂ Dejean, 1831 Israel: Hazerim, 15, april, 1988, Orbach leg.

Calosoma (Caminara) olivieri ♀ Dejean, 1831 Jordan: Wadi Rum, 20.III.2010 G.Sabatinelli leg.

Calosoma (Caminara) olivieri ♀ Dejean, 1831 Iran: Semnan prov., Shakhrud, Tahar 2.100m., N.36°31" E.54°45", 12.6.09 Klimenko lg.

Calosoma (Caminara) olivieri ♀ Dejean, 1831 Iran: Golestan prov., Dasht 1000m., N.37°21" E.56°00", 11.5.09 Klimenko lg.

Calosoma (Caminara) olivieri ♀ Dejean, 1831 Italia: Pantelleria isl., 5.09 A. Corso lg. (photo Romano)

Calosoma (Caminara) olivieri ♂ Dejean, 1831 Bagdad,(holotype) (coll. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris)

The invasion of Calosoma olivieri in the Mideast (Spring 2019) Piles of Calosoma at mosques https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5502795,00.html

The invasion of Calosoma olivieri in the Mideast (Spring 2019) Cleaning the mosque in Saudi Arabia https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5502795,00.html