TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION OF GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) IN AGRICULTURA LANDSCAPES OF SOUTH-EAST KAZAKHSTAN
Authors:   senior lecturer of biology department of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, Saimova_rita@mail.ru, Saimova R.U. ,   https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7956-6258
Published: December 2020

Ground beetles (Carabidae) are one of the largest families of coleopteran insects; most of their larvae inhabit the soil or soil surface; some of them live in moist forests, under tree bark, and on dry trees. Based on the need for moisture, beetles are divided into two groups: hygrophiles and mesophiles. Hygrophiles are found in water reservoirs, on river banks, or in very wet soils (Nebria, Elaphrini, Dyschirius, Bembidion, Chlaenius, some Pterostichus). Mesophiles live in mountainous areas (oftenly Carabus, Amara, Harpalus, Pterostichus, etc.). Most beetles are polytrophic predators. A large number of polytrophic predators define their practical importance. Herbivorous and omnivorous beetles are pests of economic significance. For all beetles, the most important abiotic factor is soil moisture. The overwhelming majority of species are inclined to live in relatively low-temperature biotopes. Such needs are especially typical for non-specialized polytrophic predators. The proportion of meso-xerophilic species among herbivores is much higher, since these species, like other herbivores, can compensate for the lack of moisture in the body by absorbing plant juices. The studies were aimed at researching the species composition of ground beetles in agricultural cenoses of the Almaty, Talgar, Ili, Zhambyl, Karasai, and Enbekshikazakh regions. Field studies were carried out in 2019-2020 from early May to late September. The research was conducted using methods generally accepted in entomology. The study also used an ecological type of soil trap to minimize damage to the beneficial entomological fauna of the study area – insectivores. Also, Barrier soil traps were used to capture the beetles. 10 traps were installed at a distance of 5 meters in the research area of the field: soil traps were installed from late May to mid-October. Beetles were collected from the trap every 7–10 days. Based on the results of the research, lists of pests and insectivores of agricultural landscapes of South-East Kazakhstan (soybeans, alfalfa, barley, wheat, corn, etc.) were compiled. According to the results of the study, 29 species belonging to 18 genera of ground beetles (Carabidae) in the agricultural landscapes of South-East Kazakhstan were identified. Of these, Harpalus (5 species, 17%), Poecilus(3 species, 11%) were predominant in species composition, and only 1-2 species were known to be from the remaining 16 genera. The article shows the habitats of these beetles in the agricultural cenoses of South-East Kazakhstan, their trophic relationship and impact on the agrocenosis, and their practical significance. The species discovered in the course of the study were divided into 3 groups based on their diet: herbivores (feed on plants), omnivores (feed on both vegetation and animal food) and insectivores (feed on insects). Herbivores: Acupalpus elegans Dejean, 1829, Zabrus morio Ménétriés, 1832, Zabrus tenebrioides Goeze, 1777. Omnivores: Amara aenea (DeGeer, 1774), Amara similata Gyllenhal, 1810, Calathus halensis (Schaller, 1783), Harpalus smaragdinus (Duftschmied, 1812), Harpalus affinis Schrank, 1781, Harpalus anxius Duftscmid, 1812, Harpalus distinguendus (Duftschmid, 1812), Harpalus rufipes (De Geer, 1774), Poecilus sericeus sericeus Fischer von Waldheim, 1824, Poecilus versicolor (Sturm, 1824), Poecilus cupreus (Linnaeus, 1758). Insectivores: Anchomenus dorsalis (Pontoppidan, 1763), Brachinus crepitans Linnaeus, 1758, Brachinus ejaculans Fischer-Waldheim, 1828, Carabus cicatricosus Fischer von Waldheim, 1842, Carabus nemoralis Müller, 1764, Calosoma auropunctatum (Herbst, 1784), Calosoma denticolle Gebler, 1833, Chlaenius spoliatus Rossi, 1790, Cymindis picta Pallas, 1771, Elaphrus cupreus Duftschmid, 1812, Elaphrus riparius (Linnaeus, 1758), Microlestes minutulus Goeze, 1777, Lebia cruxminor Linnaeus, 1758, Loricera pilicornis (Fabricius, 1775), Notiophilus aquaticus Linnaeus, 1758, Pterostichus niger (Schaller, 1783). Herbivores had 3 species (8%), omnivores had 11 species (48%), and insectivores – 16 species (44%).