Christoph’s Clouded Yellow
Status. Category II (VUBlac(v)+2ac(v); D2). Vulnerable species, a narrow endemic of the northern part of the Hissar-Alai mountain system, forming isolated local populations that are few in number. It is the most distinctive species among the 12 species of the genus found in Kyrgyzstan and has aesthetic value. It was included in the Red Data Book of the USSR in 1984 (category III) [26], and in the same year in the "Red Data Book of the Kirghiz SSR" [60].
Brief description of the adult appearance. A medium-sized butterfly, with a forewing length of 20-24 mm. The forewings are ochre-orange, with a wide white band bordered on both the outer and inner sides by black edging of varying widths; the veins on the white band are black, and there is a round black spot in the upper part of the median cell. The hindwings are light gray with a white submarginal band and black veins on it; a black stripe runs between the whitish median dot and the white bands. The antennae are club-shaped, about one-third the length of the forewing. The body is dark brown with light gray hairs. Males are more brightly and contrastively colored than females and are slightly smaller in size [53].
Distribution overall and in the country. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan [12, 26, 87, 88, 89, 53], and Uzbekistan (enclave [71]). The species' range includes narrow ridge strips on the slopes in the northeastern part of the Hissar Range, on the Zeravshan Range (up to the Iskander-Kul lake area inclusive) and the Turkestan Range (west to Chukmartau [26]), and in the western part of the Alai Range (including the Kollektorsky Range). In Kyrgyzstan, it is found in the areas of the Kara-Kazyk and Tengizbay passes, and probably in the eastern part of the Turkestan Range. Indications of the distribution of C. christophi in the Kyrgyz Range and in the eastern half of the Alai Range [26: map] are not confirmed by modern data.
Habitats. High-altitude ridge areas of rocky and gravelly slopes, with low-grass alpine meadows, at altitudes of 3300-3600 m above sea level (migratory individuals descend to 2700 m above sea level); the indication of "xerophytic sparse tragacanth vegetation" as characteristic biotope vegetation [26] is not accurate. Populations sporadically occupy very small areas.
Population. During mass flight, a maximum of 2-4 individuals of imago are recorded per 100 m² in undisturbed habitats [53].
Life cycle (lifestyles). Insufficiently studied. In nature, the species has one generation per year. The second instar larva hibernates. The larval food plant is Astragalus sp. (Fabaceae) [53]; the indication of feeding on the leaves of Onobrychis echidna Lipsky [26, 1], at least for Kyrgyz populations, is not confirmed by observations [53]. The pro-nymph stage lasts 4-5 days [53]. Flight is observed in late June - July, depending on specific seasonal weather conditions. Females lay eggs on the buds and flowers of food plants [53].
Limiting factors. Not sufficiently identified. C. christophi is a sedentary species, incapable of migration, which is a primary risk factor for local populations. The greatest damage to populations may be caused by excessive livestock grazing, leading to rapid degradation of the plant cover in habitats - vulnerable high-altitude biocenoses. Natural enemies and diseases have not been studied.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not conducted.
Existing conservation measures. The species was included in the Red Data Book of the republic in 1984 [60], but is currently not protected anywhere.
Recommended conservation measures. In most habitats, due to the mountainous terrain, intensive human activity, including recreation, is currently absent [53]; however, opinions on the need to limit anthropogenic influence have been expressed earlier [1, 71]. In habitats (it is advisable to search for populations in the Turkestan Range), it is necessary to organize reserves where the food base, acceptable level of vegetation load, and the possibility of expanding the range, including through artificial introduction, can be studied.
Christoph’s Clouded Yellow
Christoph’s Clouded Yellow
Colias christophi Grum-Grshimailo, 1885
Status: Vulnerable (VU B1ac(v)+2ac(v); D2 - Category II), sporadically and locally distributed species endemic to the northern part of the Hissar-Alai Mountains. It is the most distinctive representative of the 12 congeners in Kyrgyzstan and has aesthetic value and is important for the preservation of the genetic fund. This monovoltine species hibernates as a second instar larva, caterpillars feed on Astragalus sp.; butterflies fly in late June to July at metal and stony slopes near ridge tops, at altitudes of 3,300 (2,700)-3,500 m above sea level. Several small populations are located in Kyrgyzstan in the eastern part of the Alai Mountains (including the adjacent Kollektorsky Range); it is also presumably found in the eastern part of the Turkestan Range; besides this, C. christophi is also known in the adjacent territory of Northern Tajikistan. Limiting factors include the small number and areas of isolated populations and excessive pasturage. The species was included in the Red Data Book of Kyrgyzstan in 1984, but protection is still not organized. Searching for populations in the Turkestan Mountain Range, creating micro-reservations, and identifying the optimal degree of anthropogenic pressure on vegetation are recommended for conservation.
