A review of the genus Microdera Eschscholtz, 1831 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Uzbekistan NORBEK KH. BEKCHANOV, MAXIM V. NABOZHENKO, KHUDAYBERGAN U. BEKCHANOV, MOKHIRA KH. BEKCHANOVA Zootaxa, 2025 A review of darkling beetles of the genus Microdera Eschscholtz, 1831 from Uzbekistan is presented. In total, 12 species are known in this country. Two new species are described: M. abdullohi N. Bekchanov et Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Sulton Uvays Mts.) and M. uzbekistanica N. Bekchanov et Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Kuldzhuktau Mts.). The following new synonym is introduced: Microdera globulicollis Ménétriés, 1849 = Microdera extabesa Skopin, 1961, syn. nov. The species M. ferghanensis Kaszab, 1957 is resurrected from the synonymy of M. globulicollis Ménétriés, 1849. In describing the ranges of the species mentioned in the paper, we corrected some errors in previous publications and clarified the distribution, including as a result of taxonomic changes. A species rank status is restored for Microdera kaszabi Skopin, 1961, stat. resurr. (from a subspecies of M. convexa (Tauscher, 1812)), as a consequence the range of this species does not include southeastern Kazakhstan, and limited by Kazakh Hummocks in the east. Microdera deserta deserta (Tauscher, 1812) is recorded for Uzbekistan for the first time, and M. shasenema Medvedev & Nepesova, 1985 is firstly recorded for Tajikistan. The following species are removed from faunistic lists of different countries: M. laevigatula Reitter, 1915 from the list of Uzbekistan, M. heydeni Kraatz, 1882 from the list of Turkmenistan, M. minax Reitter, 1887 from the list of Kyrgyzstan, M. transversicollis Reitter, 1887 from the list of Armenia. Lectotypes for Tentyria deplanata Gebler, 1841 and Microdera semenoviana Bogatchev, 1947 are designated.
Note on the identity and distribution of Mesostena puncticollis Solier, 1835 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) in Central Asia Norbek Kh. Bekchanov, Maxim V. Nabozhenko, Khudaybergan U. Bekchanov, Mahliyo Z. Kamolova, Muzaffar Kh. Bekchanov, et al. Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics, 2025 The darkling beetle Mesostena puncticollis Solier, 1835 is recorded for Uzbekistan for the first time. Beetles were collected in the Sundukli desert and the foothills of the Nurota Mountains. The species is widely distributed from the Northern Afrotropics to Central Asia, but our records significantly expand the range of the species to the northeast. Male genitalia are imaged and compared with other Tentyriini genera for the first time. Bionomics and distribution of M. puncticollis in Central Asia are analysed.
Review of the genus Dengitha Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) Norbek Kh. Bekchanov, Maxim V. Nabozhenko, Muzaffar Kh. Bekchanov, Khudaybergan U. Bekchanov Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, 2024 The Central Asian genus Dengitha Reitter, 1887 is briefly reviewed. The following new synonymy is proposed: Dengitha crystallina Semenow, 1896 = Dengitha symmetrica G.S. Medvedev, 1964 syn. nov.; Dengitha lutea Reitter, 1887 = Dengitha hyalina Semenow, 1896 resyn. Lectotype is designated for D. crystallina. In total, two species of the genus are distributed in Central Asia, occurring on weakly fixed sands with Haloxylon or dunes without vegetation in the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts. Dengitha crystallina is widely distributed in Turkmenistan (western, central and north Karakum), Uzbekistan (Ustyurt plateau, Kyzylkum) and Kazakhstan (Kyzylkum); Dengitha lutea is known only from the eastern Karakum (Turkmenistan) and Sundukli deserts near the Amudarya River (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan).
A revision of the Palaearctic Pimeliini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): the genus Sternodes Fischer von Waldheim, 1837 Nabozhenko, M.V., Bekchanov, N.Kh., Bekchanov, Kh.U., Bekchanova, M.Kh. Kavkazskij Entomologiceskij Bulleten, 2024 The genus Sternodes Fischer von Waldheim, 1837 currently consists of one species with two subspecies from Karakum, Sundukli deserts and several surrounding areas. Sternodes pallasi Semenov-Tian-Shanskij et Bogatchev, 1940 is resurrected from a junior synonym of Sternodes caspicus (Pallas, 1781). The following new synonymy is established: Sternodes caspicus caspicus (Pallas, 1781) = Sternodes caspicus eous Semenov-Tian-Shanskij et Bogatchev, 1940, syn. n. The lectotype is designated for S. caspicus eous. As a result, two valid species (without subspecies) are known in the genus. They differ in the structure of head, prosternal process and elytra. Both species are sympatric in Repetek (Karakum Desert, eastern Turkmenistan), but S. caspicus has spring-summer activity, while S. pallasi was collected in late autumn.
First data on the darkling beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of the Hissar State Reserve, Uzbekistan M.V. Nabozhenko, N.Kh. Bekchanov, L.V. Egorov, Kh.U. Bekchanov, M.Kh. Bekchanov, M.Sh. Rakhimov Zoosystematica Rossica, 2024 The invertebrate fauna of the Hissar State Reserve in Uzbekistan remains largely unstudied. In this reserve, we collected and examined darkling beetles, which are among the most diverse and abundant groups of beetles in Middle Asia. All species were found at altitudes ranging from 1,800 to 2,500 meters, spanning the zone of Juniperus seravschanica Kom. and mountain steppes to the border of subalpine meadows. In total, 21 species were collected, one of which, Prosodes (Uroprosodes) chigrayi Nabozhenko et N. Bekchanov sp. nov., is new to science. Another species, Bioramix (Planoplatyscelis) latipennis (Kaszab, 1940), is recorded for the first time in the fauna of Uzbekistan. Additionally, we found and examined the very rare species Laena dentitibia Reitter, 1901, which was previously known only from the male holotype. The female of the rare species Blaps aruktavica G.S. Medvedev, 2004 is characterised for the first time. Two female specimens of the very rare Hissar population of Blaps caraboides Allard, 1882, which have a pronounced elytral mucron, were found for the first time in 112 years. We provide illustrations of the majority of species for the first time. Data on the distribution, taxonomy, external morphology, variability, and bionomics of the examined species are presented.
A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS PHILHAMMUS FAIRMAIRE, 1871 (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) FROM UZBEKISTAN , M.V. Nabozhenko, , N.Kh. Bekchanov, , Kh.U. Bekchanov, , and Far Eastern Entomologist, 2023 A new species of darkling beetles of the genus Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 is described from Amudarya bank, Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan: Ph. dilaramae Nabozhenko et N. Bekchanov, sp. n. This first representative of the genus in the country belongs to the nominotypical subgenus and most similar to Pre-Caspian Ph. zaitsevi G.S. Medvedev, 1979. The new species differs from the latter in the structure of genae, eyes and pronotum.
Review of the subgenus Turcmenicola Bogatchev, 1952, the genus Colposcelis Dejean, 1834 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) NORBEK KH. BEKCHANOV, MAXIM V. NABOZHENKO, MOKHIRA KH. BEKCHANOVA Zootaxa, 2023 The subgenus Turcmenicola Bogatchev, 1952 (genus Colposcelis Dejean, 1834) is reviewed. Representatives of the studied taxon occur in the most lifeless rocky, gravelly and clayey areas of the deserts of Middle Asia (Ustyurt plateau, Kyzylkum desert, foothills of southern Kugitang, Betpak-Dala desert). Turcmenicola comprises five species from which two are described here as new: C. ustyurtensis Bekchanov & Nabozhenko sp. n. (Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan, eastern part of Ustyurt plateau) and C. khudaybergani Bekchanov, Nabozhenko & Bekchanova, sp. n. (Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan, Amudarya and Beruni districts). The following new synonymy is proposed: Colposcelis jachontovi (Bogatchev, 1952) = Colposcelis kerzhneri Medvedev, 1970, syn. n. A key to species of Turcmenicola is given.
A review of the genus Psammocrуptus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) Maxim V. Nabozhenko, Ivan A. Chigray, Norbek Kh. Bekchanov Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 2022 A taxonomic review of the tenebrionid genus Psammocryptus Kraatz, 1865 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae: Tentyriini) is given. Species of this genus are distributed in the south of Russia (Caspian depression), Transcaucasia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, occurring in areas with salty soil, often in tugay forests of river basins. Two new species and one new subspecies are described: P. bogatchevi Nabozhenko, Chigray & Bekchanov, sp. nov. (Kazakhstan: Syrdarya basin, Kyzylkum desert; Uzbekistan: Amudarya lower reaches and delta, Syrdarya basin, Kyzylkum desert); P. kompantsevae Nabozhenko & Chigray, sp. nov. (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan: Amudarya, upper river basin); P. bayeri vachshianus Nabozhenko & Chigray, subsp. nov. (Tajikistan: Vakhsh River valley). The nominotypical subspecies P. bayeri bayeri Koch, 1943 occurs in Turkmenistan (Tejen valley and Amudarya valley middle river course) and Tajikistan (a new record for the country: Kafirnigan River valley). Psammocryptus minutus (Tauscher, 1812) is recorded for Armenia for the first time, but the population from Yerevan has become extinct due to urbanization. The following synonymy is restituted: Psammocryptus minutus (Tauscher, 1812) = P. bergi Kuzin 1934, syn. restit.
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
A review of the genus Dailognatha Steven, 1828 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Central Asia MV Nabozhenko, NK Bekchanov, KU Bekchanov, MK Bekchanova Annales de la Société entomologique de France (NS) 62 (1), 40-76 , 2026 2026.0
Note on the identity and distribution of Mesostena puncticollis Solier, 1835 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) in Central Asia NK Bekchanov, MV Nabozhenko, KU Bekchanov, MZ Kamolova, ... Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics 11 (4), 965-972 , 2025 2025.0
A review of the genus Microdera Eschscholtz, 1831 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Uzbekistan NK Bekchanov, MV Nabozhenko, KU Bekchanov, MK Bekchanova Zootaxa 5590 (4), 451-480 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 2
Review of the genus Dengitha Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) NK Bekchanov, MV Nabozhenko, MK Bekchanov, KU Bekchanov Animal Taxonomy and Ecology 70 (1), 72-81 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 2
First data on the darkling beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of the Hissar State Reserve, Uzbekistan MV Nabozhenko, NK Bekchanov, LV Egorov, KU Bekchanov, ... Zoosystematica Rossica 33 (2), 189-208 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 5
REVISION OF THE TENEBRIONID TRIBE TENTYRIINI (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE: PIMELIINAE) OF UZBEKISTAN: PROBLEMS, PROSPECTS AND PRELIMINARY RESULTS KB Norbek Bekchanov, Maxim Nabozhenko ACTUAL ISSUES OF MODERN APPROACHES IN BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, 168-169 , 2023 2023.0
Remarkable additions to the fauna of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of western Uzbekistan KB Maxim Nabozhenko, Norbek Bekchanov Caucasian Entomological Bulletin 19 (1), 155–191 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 10
Review of the subgenus Turcmenicola Bogatchev, 1952, the genus Colposcelis Dejean, 1834 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) NKH Bekchanov, MV Nabozhenko, MKH Bekchanova Zootaxa 5375 (4), 550-564 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 6
A new species of the genus Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Uzbekistan MV Nabozhenko, NK Bekchanov, KU Bekchanov Дальневосточный энтомолог, 1-6 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 2
A review of the genus Psammocrуptus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) MV Nabozhenko, IA Chigray, NK Bakchanov Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 62 (1), 165-184 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 4
Bekchanov Kh. U., Bekchanova M. Kh. 2024. A revision of the Palaearctic Pimeliini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): the genus Sternodes Fischer von Waldheim, 1837 (Coleoptera … MV Nabozhenko, BN Kh Caucasian entomological Bulletin 20 (1), 65-71 , 0 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Remarkable additions to the fauna of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of western Uzbekistan KB Maxim Nabozhenko, Norbek Bekchanov Caucasian Entomological Bulletin 19 (1), 155–191 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 10
Review of the subgenus Turcmenicola Bogatchev, 1952, the genus Colposcelis Dejean, 1834 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) NKH Bekchanov, MV Nabozhenko, MKH Bekchanova Zootaxa 5375 (4), 550-564 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 6
First data on the darkling beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of the Hissar State Reserve, Uzbekistan MV Nabozhenko, NK Bekchanov, LV Egorov, KU Bekchanov, ... Zoosystematica Rossica 33 (2), 189-208 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 5
A review of the genus Psammocrуptus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) MV Nabozhenko, IA Chigray, NK Bakchanov Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 62 (1), 165-184 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 4
A review of the genus Microdera Eschscholtz, 1831 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Uzbekistan NK Bekchanov, MV Nabozhenko, KU Bekchanov, MK Bekchanova Zootaxa 5590 (4), 451-480 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 2
Review of the genus Dengitha Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini) NK Bekchanov, MV Nabozhenko, MK Bekchanov, KU Bekchanov Animal Taxonomy and Ecology 70 (1), 72-81 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 2
A new species of the genus Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Uzbekistan MV Nabozhenko, NK Bekchanov, KU Bekchanov Дальневосточный энтомолог, 1-6 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 2
Bekchanov Kh. U., Bekchanova M. Kh. 2024. A revision of the Palaearctic Pimeliini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): the genus Sternodes Fischer von Waldheim, 1837 (Coleoptera … MV Nabozhenko, BN Kh Caucasian entomological Bulletin 20 (1), 65-71 , 0 Citations: 2
A review of the genus Dailognatha Steven, 1828 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Central Asia MV Nabozhenko, NK Bekchanov, KU Bekchanov, MK Bekchanova Annales de la Société entomologique de France (NS) 62 (1), 40-76 , 2026 2026.0
Note on the identity and distribution of Mesostena puncticollis Solier, 1835 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) in Central Asia NK Bekchanov, MV Nabozhenko, KU Bekchanov, MZ Kamolova, ... Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics 11 (4), 965-972 , 2025 2025.0
REVISION OF THE TENEBRIONID TRIBE TENTYRIINI (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE: PIMELIINAE) OF UZBEKISTAN: PROBLEMS, PROSPECTS AND PRELIMINARY RESULTS KB Norbek Bekchanov, Maxim Nabozhenko ACTUAL ISSUES OF MODERN APPROACHES IN BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, 168-169 , 2023 2023.0
