PHENOLOGICAL SPECTRUM AND ECOLOGICAL GROUPING OF THE SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT OF INSECT: ORTHOPTERA OF JIZZAKH REGION

ABSTRACT

The period of seasonal development of 66 Orthoptera insects identified from different landscapes of the Jizzakh region was determined. By studying the laws of their formation, the ecological adaptation to the feeding environment and the phenological spectra of the anthropogenic and natural regions of this region was determined, which allows for ecological prediction to carry out the fight against harmful species promptly.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Определен период сезонного развития 66 прямокрылых насекомых, выявленных из разных ландшафтов Джизакской области. Путем изучения закономерностей их формирования определены экологическая адаптация к кормовой среде и фенологические спектры антропогенных и природных зон данного региона, что позволяет при экологическом прогнозировании своевременно проводить борьбу с вредными видами.

Keywords: Jizzakh region, Orthoptera, phenological spectra, ecological adaptation, imago, larva, wintering imago, environment.

Ключевые слова: Джизакская область, Orthoptera, фенологические спектры, экологическая адаптация, имаго, личинка, зимующая имаго, окружающая среда.

Introduction: Researching orthoptera species by categorizing them based on phenological traits is crucial. Numerous scientific studies have addressed this approach [1;2]. Specifically, our investigation into the phenological characteristics of the Jizzakh region aims to understand the seasonal development dynamics. This involves assessing the impact of abiotic factors on ecological adaptation and fauna composition, predicting the proliferation of harmful species, and devising timely control measures.

Literature analysis indicates that there are over 45,000 species of orthopteras globally, with more than 700 species found in Central Asian countries, particularly within the Republic of Uzbekistan [7]. Researchers such as R.A. Alimdjanov [1], A.A. Bekuzin [3], N.E. Ergashev [10], F.A. Gapparov [4], A.A. Nurzhanov [8], and M.J. Medetov [6], among others, have studied the species composition and systematics of Orthoptera in Uzbekistan. Nevertheless, these studies do not provide sufficient information about the species composition, distribution across various landscapes, and zoogeography of the Jizzakh region. Thus, it is scientifically and practically significant to determine the species composition and taxonomic structure of Orthoptera in the Jizzakh region, understand their ecological adaptations, assess the impact of abiotic factors on fauna formation, predict the increase of harmful species, and develop timely management strategies.

Methods and materials: In this research, samples of Orthoptera were collected and analyzed from various environments in the Jizzakh region, including mountains, foothills, hills, deserts, and diverse agroecosystems. Along designated transects, insect samples were gathered from different stations and biotopes, processed entomologically, and compiled into a collection. Between 2018 and 2022, data were collected from specific plots across different areas of the Jizzakh region. Determining the taxonomic status of orthoptera insects, followed standard entomological methods and techniques tailored for specific orders, as outlined in "Саранчовые Казахстана, Средней Азии и сопредельных территории" [5] for locust, "Законмерности распространения прямокрылых насекомых Северной Азии" [9] for grasshoppers and crickets.

Results: It is very important to know the effect of abiotic factors on the ecological adaptation of orthopteras in their habitats, and the formation of their fauna, as well as to predict the increase of harmful species and to develop ways of timely organization of countermeasures. Based on this, according to the results of our research on the bio-ecology of stilts of the studied area, when we analyzed the characteristics of their phenological spectrum, they were divided into 4 groups.

The first group consists of species that hibernate as both adults (imago) and larvae, exhibiting highly diverse phenological patterns. Species in this group often have multiple generations per year. In certain years, distinguishing the specific population groups can be challenging. Most hibernating insects are prevalent in the Old Mediterranean and tropical continents. These wintering species inhabit all landscapes of the Valley. They are considered to have adapted through evolutionary processes to abrupt changes in primary annual cycles and seasons or to have migrated from tropical and subtropical regions [4]. Example, Melanogryllus desertus Рall., Modicogryllus bordigalensis Latr., Tartarogryllus tartarus Sauss, Turanogryllus lateralis (Fied.), Eremogryllodes semеnovi (Mir.), Gryllotalpa grullatalpa L., Tetrix bolivari Saul., Tetrix subulata L., Tetrix tartara tartara (I. Bol.), Tetrix tartara subacuta B.-Bien., Pyrgomorpha bispinosa deserti B.-Bien., Conophyma semenovi semenovi Zub., Conophyma sokolovi decorum Mistsh., Anacridium aegyptium (L.), Truxalis eximia Eichw., Duroniella gracilis Uv., Duroniella kalmyka (Аd.), Acrotylus insubricus (Scop.), Notostaurus albicornis (Еv.), Chorthippus (G.) apricarius (Lin.) species belong to the first group.

The second group consists of ephemeroid, or early spring, species. These species emerge in the last third decade of March or the first ten days of April, a period characterized by moderate temperatures conducive to the development of Orthoptera larvae. This timing also aligns with the peak abundance of ephemeroid plants, which provide a crucial food source. By late May, these species have laid their eggs, coinciding with the end of the growth period for several ephemeral plant species. As Glyphonothus thoracicus (Fischer-Waldheim), Asiotmethis heptapotamicus Zub.,  Pezotmethis nigrescens Pyln., Pezotmethis tartarus tartarus (Sauss.), Pezotmethis ferghanensis (Uv.), Dociostaurus (s.str.) maroccanus (Thnd.), Dociostaurus (s.str.) tartarus (Stshelk.), Pyrgodera armata F.d.W. species belong to second group.

The third group - spring-summer species. These insects hatch between the second decade of April and the onset of May. During their emergence, ephemerals mark the conclusion of their vegetation phase, coinciding with the awakening of shrubs, small bushes, or early-starting plant species. Egg-laying occurs from late June to early August. These species are predominantly found in open areas and thickets, characterizing them as ground-dwelling insects. In this group consist of 30 species as Tettigonia caudatа (Charp.), Tettigonia viridissima L., Semenoviana plotnikovi (Uv.), Decticus verrucivorus (Lin.), Decticus albifrons F., Gampsocleis glabra (Herbst), Platycleis intermedia (Aud.-Serv.), Phaneroptera falcatа (Poda,1761), Oecanthus turanicus Uv., Calliptamus italicus italicus L., Calliptamus turanicus Serg.Tarb., Calliptamus barbarus cephalotes (Costa), Locusta migratoria migratoria L., Oedipoda caerulescens L., Oedipoda miniata miniata (Раll.), Mecostethus alliaceus turanicus Serg.Tarb., Helioscirtus moseri Sauss., Aiolopus oxianus Uv., Oedaleus decorus (Germ.), Chorthippus (s.str.) albomarginatus karelini (Uv.), Chorthippus (s.str.) dichrous (Ev.), Mioscirtus wagneri (Kitt.), Bruntridactylus tartarus Sauss., Sphingonotus nebulosus Uv., Sphingonotus maculatus maculatus Uv., Sphingonotus satrapes Sauss., Sph.salinus (Раll). Pseudosphingonotus savignyi (Sauss.), Ramburiella foveolata Serg., Eremippus simplex.

The fourth group - summer-autumn species. This group includes species that live until the end of autumn after hatching from eggs in the last decade of May or mid-June. These species live among thick bushes or perennial plants. In this group consist of 8 species as Oxya fuscovittata (Marsch.), Heteracris adspersa (Redt.), Heteracris littoralis littoralis Ramb., Acrida oxycephala (Pall.), Heteracris pterosticha (F.d.W.), Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus F., Eyprepocnemis unicolor Serg.Tarb., Eyprepocnemis plorans Charp.

Figure 1. Grouping of orthoptera of Jizzakh region according to life forms

During our research, the distribution of Orthoptera by life form was studied (Fig.1.). Herpetobionts – species belong to genus Tetrix; facultative hortobionts – species belong to genus Duroniella Aiolopus Notostaurus, Dociostaurus, Pyrgomorpha avlodlari; hortobionts – species belong to genus Oxya, Calliptamus; thamnobionts – species belong to genus Eyprepocnemis, Heteracris Anacridium, Tettigonia, Eyprepocnemis, Glyphonothus; eremobionts – species belong to genus Mioscirtus, Oedipoda, Acrotylus, Sphingonotus, Helioscirtus, Pseudosphingonotus, Pyrgodera; spiked hortobionts – species belong to genus Ramburiella, Mecostethus, Chorthippus; fissurobiont – species belong to Modicogryllus, Tartarogryllus; petrobionts – species belong to genus Asiotmethis, Pezotmethis; cryptobionts – species is only Eremogryllodes semеnovi; flying migrants - is Locusta migratoria; herbivorous hortobionts – species belong to genus Semenoviana, Conophyma; spike-horned hortobionts – species belong to genus Truxalis, Acrida; sublayer geophill – species belong to genus Decticus, Gampsocleis, Oedaleus;  geobionts – species belong to genus Gryllotalpa, Bruntrydactilus.  microthamnobionts – is Eremippus simplex; differentiated phytophilous – species belong to genus Phaneroptera, Oecanthus.

Conclusion: According to the phenological spectrum of the seasonal development period of the insects of Jizzakh region, they belong to 4 groups: 30% are hibernating as imago and larvae, 12% are ephemeroid and early spring species, 46% are spring-summer species, and 12% are summer-autumn species.

Eremobionts are 16.6% according to the life form of orthopteras; facultative hortobionts 13.6%; thamnobionts 12.1%; hortobionts, spiked hortobionts, fussurobionts, petrobionts 6.1%; herbivorous hortobionts 4.5%; spike-horned hortobionts, specialized phytophiles 3%, cryptobionts, flying migrants, microthamnobionts accounted for 1.5%.

References:

1. Alimdzhanov R.A., Ergashev N.E. Locusts of the Karshi steppe. // Zoological journal. - Moscow, 1974. – No. 4 (53). - P. 639 – 641.
2. Bey-Bienko G.Ya., Mishchenko L.L. Locust faunas of the USSR and neighboring countries. Key to the fauna of the USSR, published by ZIN.. - Moscow, Leningrad: Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Sciences, 1951. - No. 38. Parts I, II. - 668 pp.
3. Bekuzin A.A. Orthoptera insects of the tugai forests of the middle reaches of the river. Syrdarya. // In the book: Ecology of insects in Uzbekistan and the scientific basis of the fight against harmful species. - Tashkent: Fan, 1968. - P. 51-58.
4. Gapparov F.A. Increasing the effectiveness of measures to combat locusts in the territories of the Republic of Uzbekistan // Information bulletin of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. - Tashkent, 2010. - No. 2. - P.25 – 28.
5. Lachininsky A.V., Sergeev M.G., Childebaev M.K., Chernyakhovsky M.E., Kambulin V.E., Lockwood J.A., Gapparov F.A. Locusts of Kazakhstan, Central Asia and adjacent territories. - Laramie, 2001. - 387 pp.
6. Medetov M.Zh., Kholmatov B.R., Nurzhanov A.A. Orthopterous insects of Surkhandarya province (Uzbekistan) // Uzbekistan biology journal. – Tashkent, 2018. – No. 1. – P. 25-31.
7. Mishchenko L.L. Cockroaches - Blattodea, mantises - Mantodea, ghosts - Phasmodea, jumping orthoptera - Saltatoria Orthoptera (sens. str.) and leatherwings - Dermaptera of the deserts of the USSR // Abstracts of scientific research. works dept. biol. Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences. – M. – L.: ed. Academy of Sciences of the USSR., 1944. – P. 124-125.
8. Nurzhanov A.A., Locust genus Dtricorys Serv. (Acridoidea: Orthoptera) of the Southern Aral Sea // Entomology of dolzarb muammolari. – Farghona, 2010. – S. 45-46.
9. Sergeev M.G. Patterns of distribution of orthoptera insects in Northern Asia. - Novosibirsk: Nauka Publishing House, 1986. - 237 pp.
10. Ergashev N. To the fauna of crickets (Grilloidea) of Uzbekistan // In the book: Ecology of insects of Uzbekistan and the scientific basis of the fight against harmful species. - Tashkent: Fan, 1968. - P. 58-64.