BIOTOPIC DISTRIBUTION OF ENTOMOFAUNA IN TUGAI RIPARIAN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS OF KHOREZM REGION, UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

Entomological surveys (2022–2024) across tugai riparian forests of Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan documented 19 insect species across three study sites and three biotope types. The Amudarya Riparian Forest Massif yielded the highest richness (15 spp.; 78.9%), followed by the Urgench Peripheral Tugai Zone (14 spp.; 73.7%) and the Shovot Tugai Site (12 spp.; 63.2%). The arboreal biotope harboured the greatest diversity (11 spp.; 57.9%), dominated by xylobiont Cerambycidae and Lepidoptera, while shrub and meadow biotopes supported 5 (26.3%) and 3 (15.8%) species respectively. All taxa exhibited specific trophic associations with dominant components of the tugai phytocoenosis; Populus euphratica, Salix alba, and Elaeagnus angustifolia constituted the principal host complexes.