Pogonarthron (Pogonarthron) tschitscherini (Semenov, 1889)
ssp. tschitscherini (Semenov, 1889)

Subfamilia: PRIONINAE  /  Tribus: PRIONINI
Pogonarthron tschitscherini tschitscherini
[Photo © Lech Kruszelnicki]

Pogonarthron tschitscherini tschitscherini, an endemic taxon to Kyrgyzstan, has been described as Polyarthron Tschitscherini from Kyrgyzstan (Osh environs) by Andrej P. Semenov Tian-Shanskij in 1889 [▽]. The nominative subspecies occurs in foothills at the east part of Fergana valley from central foothills of Fergana Ridge (Dzhalal-Abad environs) to the north-east part of Alay Ridge (Kara-Buura river valley, environs of Osh-city and Papan water reserve). The species inhabits savanoid steppe areas in foothills. The biotopes could be totally lacking trees and bushes, or often with numerous Pistacea trees. Larval development in the soil, larvae probably feed on roots of available plants. Each subspecies is characterized with certain hours of male activity. Males of the nominative subspecies are mostly active at the end of the daylight in about 18:00-19:00, several specimens were observed later after sunset in the twilight. The period of female activity coincides with male activity. Females spend almost whole life inside in their holes in soil. Female ready for copulation leaves the soil through this opening and attracts males by rotate her ovipositor (sexual pheromone emission). Female hides herself inside her hole immediately after copulation. Males are able to penetrate inside female holes and copulate there, so many females are not obliged to leave the soil. [❖].

Body length:♂♂ 13.5 - 20.5 mm / ♀♀ 14 - 35 mm
Life cycle:unknown
Adults in:June and July
Host plant:unknown
Distribution:an endemic taxon to Kyrgyzstan


The depicted mointed beetles were collected in Kyrgyzstan.


[▽]
Semenov Tian-Shanskij A.P.:
Diagnoses Coleopterorum novorum ex Asia Centrali et Orientali. II.
Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae, St. Petersbourg 24 (1-2): 193-226, 1889. [download pdf icon]

[❖]
Danilevsky M.L. and Shapovalov A.M.:
Pogonarthron (s. str.) tschitscherini (Semenov, 1889) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Prioninae): descriptions of females and two new subspecies.
Humanity space International Almanac 6 (5): 849-861, 2017. [download pdf icon]



 
SubfamiliaPrioninae Latreille, 1802
TribusPrionini Latreille, 1802
GenusPogonarthron Semenov, 1900
SubgenusPogonarthron Semenov, 1900
SpeciesPogonarthron (Pogonarthron) tschitscherini (Semenov, 1889)
SubspeciesPogonarthron (Pogonarthron) tschitscherini tschitscherini (Semenov, 1889)