Eumenes (Eumenes) pomiformis

Eumenes (Eumenes) pomiformis (Fabricius, 1781) Literature records Khalaf (1958); Derwesh (1965); Augul (2017). Remarks We have examined no specimens of this species from Iraq. Augul (2017) cites Khalaf (1958) as a previous source for the occurrence of this species in Iraq and provides further records, but as visible from the pictures provided these records are in fact attributable to Eumenes mediterraneus. The data published by Khalaf (1958) cannot be considered reliable, as in the past the name E. pomiformis has been used in a very broad sense including several taxa now considered distinct species. Given the currently known distribution, E. pomiformis could be present in Iraq, but for the moment the species is excluded as its presence in the Middle East needs to be reviewed given the past taxonomic problems and misidentifications (e.g., the only record from the Arabian Peninsula published by Gusenleitner (2010a) should be referred to E. mediterraneus).