Dorcadion (Politodorcadion) balchashense (Suvorov, 1911)
ssp. betpakdalense (Danilevsky, 1996)

Subfamilia: LAMIINAE  /  Tribus: DORCADIONINI
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense
[Photo © Petr Jelínek]

Typical habitats of Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense, subspecies described by Mikhail L. Danilevsky in 1996 [✧], are clay deserts and semi-deserts with sparse grass vegetation in Betpak-Dala (Бетпақдала) desert NW and southern environs of Karaganda in Central Kazakhstan. Larvae feed on roots of various grass species (Poaceae). Adults feed on above-ground parts of the same plant species. In warm sunny weather, males are actively moving in search of virgin females. Females are less active and usually staying under plants [❖].

Body length:♂ 14 - 20 mm / ♀ 15 - 22 mm
Life cycle:1 year
Adults in:last decade of April - second half of May
Host plant:larvae feed on roots of various grass species (Poaceae)
Distribution:Central Kazakhstan


The depicted beetles were collected and photographed in North clayey-stony margins of desert near Atasu city (Kazakhstan) on May 4, 2015.

Collected by Petr Jelínek


[✧]
Danilevsky M.L.:
New taxa of the genus Dorcadion Dalman from Asia (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae).
Lambillionea 96 (2) 2: 407-420, 1996 [download pdf icon]

[❖]
Toropov S.A., Milko D.A.:
Longhorns of the tribe Dorcadionini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) of Kazakhstan and Middle Asia.
SatEnto, Bishkek, 103pp, 2013. [download pdf icon]


Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense male
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense male
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense male
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense ♂♂ [Photo © Petr Jelínek]
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense female
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense female
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense female
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense ♀♀ [Photo © Petr Jelínek]


 
SubfamiliaLamiinae Latreille, 1825
TribusDorcadionini Swainson, 1840
GenusDorcadion Dalman, 1817
SubgenusPolitodorcadion Danilevsky, 1996
SpeciesDorcadion (Politodorcadion) balchashense (Suvorov, 1911)
SubspeciesDorcadion (Politodorcadion) balchashense betpakdalense (Danilevsky, 1996)