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

Subfamilia: LAMIINAE  /  Tribus: DORCADIINI

Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense
[Photo © P.Jelínek]


Typical habitats of Dorcadion (Politodorcadion) balchashense betpakdalense are clayey deserts and semi-deserts with scanty 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 P.Jelínek


[❖] 
Toropov S.A., Milko D.A.:
Longhorns of the tribe Dorcadionini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) of Kazakhstan and Middle Asia.
SatEnto, Bishkek, 2013, pp. 103.
ISBN: 9967456167

Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense male
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense male
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense male
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense male
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense ♂♂ [Photo © P.Jelínek]


Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense female
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense female
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense female
Dorcadion balchashense betpakdalense ♀♀ [Photo © P.Jelínek]


Subfamilia: Lamiinae Latreille, 1825
Tribus: Dorcadiini Thomson, 1860
Genus: Dorcadion Dalman, 1817
Subgenus: Politodorcadion Danilevsky, 1996
Species: Dorcadion (Politodorcadion) balchashense (Suvorov, 1911)
Subpecies: Dorcadion (Politodorcadion) balchashense betpakdalense (Danilevsky, 1996)