Faunestic survey of the Cetoniid beetles associated with forest & rangelands in North of Iran

In the course of the survey of insect fauna associated with forests and rangelands of Iran (1993-2003) and the collections made in the period 2004-2007, the fauna of cetonid beetles were investigated. Specimens were mainly collected by banana trap and direct hand. Following transfer of insect specimen to the respective laboratory, preliminary identifications were carried out using diagnostic keys as well as close cooperation of the third author who determined or confirmed the identifications. All specimens together with relevant localities are currently maintained in arthropod museum of Research Institute of Forests & Rangelands. A total of 15 species were identified as follows. The species Netocia persica Kraatz, 1886 is collected and identified for the first time from Golank, Ramiyan and Tange Gol of Golestan province as well as Chehel-Dokhtar on the border of Semnan and Golestan provinces. The other species are mainly collected for the first time from the mentioned localities.* Species living in forests (collected in banana traps), larvae feeding upon decayed trees. Species not coming to banana traps or rerely, living in open areas, larvae larvae feeding upon roots of chardacea.*Cetonia aeratula Reitter, 1891 *Cetonischema speciosa (Adams, 1817) *Eupotosia affinis ssp. Pseudospeciosa Miksie, 1957 Netocia excavata (Faldermann, 835) Netocia hungarica ssp. armeniaca (Ménétriès, 1832) Netocia hungarica ssp.ignisternum Reitter, 1891 Netocia hungarica ssp.pseudoviridiana Medvedev, 1964 Netocia persica Kraatz, 1886 Netocia schekovnikovi Zaitzev, 1917Netocia trojana ssp. godeti (Gory & Percheron,1833) *Netocia vidua ssp. asiatica (Falderman, 1835) *Oxythyrea cinctella (Schaum, 1841)*Potosia cuprea ssp hieroglyphica (Ménétriès,1832)*Potosia funebris (Gory & Percheron, 1833)