Kuznetsov's Megalodont / Kuznetsov's Lamellicorn Saw-fly

Kuznetzov’s Lamellicorn Saw-fly

Status: II category (VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(ii,iii,iv); D2; E). A rare narrow-local endemic of the Western Tien Shan, with a population close to critical levels. One of six Central Asian representatives of a relict family (2-3 species in Kyrgyzstan [12]). It has the narrowest range among Central Asian species of sawflies [7], significant for aspects of zoogeography and conservation of genetic diversity.

Brief description of the adult appearance. A sawfly with a stout, flattened body, measuring 13.5-15.2 mm in length. The head is large and punctured on top. The jaws are long and widely spaced. The antennae are reddish, slightly shorter than the width of the head, long-combed, with more developed and darkened processes in males. The pronotum is short, the thorax is covered with fairly dense and coarse punctures on top. The legs are quite slender and yellow. The wings are yellowish with reddish veins, and the female has a smoky spot at the tip. The abdomen is 1.7-2.0 times longer than wide, equal in width to the thorax in females, and narrower and elongated, shiny in males. The ovipositor is very short, and the male's cerci are clearly visible from above. The overall body coloration mimics that of wasps - black with varying bright yellow spots on the face, temples, crown, middle of the thorax, and stripes on the abdominal tergites.

General distribution and in the country. The range consists of isolated "islands." Two main populations are located in the western Talas Valley: on the southern slope of the Kyrgyz Range and on the northern slope of the Talas Range (in the Aksu-Jabagly Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan and on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan); another isolated population has been found in Uzbekistan along the right bank of the Pskem River gorge [50]. The indication of the species' presence in the Zailiyskiy Alatau range [7] is erroneous.

Habitat. It is found in the most moisture-rich areas of the woody-shrub belt of the foothills [14, 50] at altitudes of 1200-1400 m above sea level. In the past, the species likely also inhabited lower mountain undisturbed areas, as it was considered a relict representative of the steppe fauna [7].

Population. Very low. During route surveys, up to 4 individuals were found feeding simultaneously on the flowers of one plant over a distance of 10-15 km, but during repeated inspections of the same areas, sawflies were not encountered (despite their relatively large size and noticeable coloration) [50].

Life cycle (lifecycle). The biology of the larvae of M. kuznetzovi is not studied, and the overwintering phase is unknown. Apparently, the species is univoltine, and the larvae develop on plants from the rue family (Rutaceae) [7]. The flight of the adults occurs from mid-May to the end of June; they fly poorly and reluctantly, feeding on the flowers of umbellifers (Prangos pabularia Lindl., Ferula spp.) [50].

Limiting factors. The natural rarity of the species, general impoverishment of vegetation in habitats due to overgrazing and haymaking, pesticide application, the relict nature of the range (fragmentation of populations and potential threat of degeneration due to inbreeding), as well as sensitivity to climate changes and stenobiont characteristics. Additionally, starlings (Acridothestes tristis L.) peck at the sluggish megalodonts from flowers or in flight, despite their mimicking wasp-like coloration [50].

Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not conducted.

Existing conservation measures. Currently, it is not protected in Kyrgyzstan. Its habitats are formally protected in the Aksu-Jabagly Nature Reserve (Kazakhstan) and in the Chatkal-Ugam Nature Reserve (Uzbekistan).

Recommended conservation measures. Comprehensive preservation of vegetation (reducing the intensity of agricultural use of the areas) in the species' habitats, organizing micro-reserves with a complete ban on the use of pesticides. It is also necessary to clarify the biology of pre-imaginal phases and their dependence on microclimate, conduct population monitoring, and possibly artificially plant host plants on which the larvae develop.

Kuznetzov’s Lamellicorn Saw-fly
Megalodontes (Rhipidioceros) kuznetzovi Dovnar-Zapolskij, 1930
Status: Vulnerable (VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(ii, iii, iv); D2; E - Category II), West Tien Shan endemic, which has the most narrow area among Middle-Asian saw-flies. The species has scientific importance in zoogeographical aspect and for preservation of genetic fund. It is found in wood and bush belt of piedmonts at 1,200-1,400 m above sea level, in gorges with the dampest microclimate. Few populations are known in the northern slope of Talas Mountain Range at the border of Kazakhstan, in adjacent territory of Aksu-Jabagly Nature Reserve (Kazakhstan), in south-western part of Alexander Mountain Range and in canyon of Pskem River (Uzbekistan). Number is reducing as a result of the general impoverishment of vegetation, anthropogenic press to habitats and pesticide pollution. The stenoky, relic character of the specific area and separation of populations are other limiting factors. At present it is out of any protection in Kyrgyzstan. To preserve this species, it is necessary to arrange comprehensive preservation of the vegetation in habitats, decreasing agricultural use (pasture and haying), to study life-history in immature stages and dependence on microclimate. Perhaps also artificial plantation of host-plants in micro-reservations and remizes would be useful.