New Distributional Data of Irochrotus maculiventris (Germar, 1839) (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) from Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye

Irochrotus maculiventris (Germar, 1839) is a rare species of Mediterranean origin with a limited distribution in Türkiye. This study presents a new record of the species' distribution in the Eastern Anatolia Region. The specimens examined were collected in 2015 from an area with herbaceous and shrubby vegetation in Sarıçiçek Village, Center district, Bingöl province, using a sweeping net method. The locality where the species was identified has an altitude of 1117 m, similar to the altitude values previously reported for Elazığ province. The data obtained constitute the second record of I. maculiventris in Eastern Anatolia and expand the known distribution area of the species in Türkiye. This new record updates information on the ecological tolerance and regional distribution dynamics of the species, and also contributes to revealing the faunistic richness of the Eastern Anatolian ecosystems.