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The Republic of Kazakhstan is located in the Northern Hemisphere on the boundary
of the two continents of Europe and Asia, and with a total area of approximately 2.7
million square kilometres, represents the largest land-locked country and the ninth
largest country in the world. It shares borders with Russia to the north-west, north
and east; the Central Asian states of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan to the
south; China to the south-east and the Caspian Sea to the west. Because of its transcontinental
geography and the great variety of natural habitats and climatic features
prevailing throughout most of the Republic, it is home to a high diversity of different
insect species, many of which can be expected to be of scientific interest from a zoogeographical
perspective, for example the many endemic and relict species. However,
most of Kazakhstan’s insects have been poorly studied.
T his book will form the basis for resolving this dearth of knowledge and
appreciation for one of the most diverse and fascinating groups on the planet, particularly
within the geographical context of its coverage. This atlas contains pictures
of insects in Kazakhstan from various taxonomic groups. For most of them the correct
scientific name is provided, in addition to the family in which it belongs. The authors,
who are both professional entomologists in Kazakhstan, provide a comprehensive
overview of the rich and peculiar insect fauna that occurs there and illustrate the
most common and larger insects that will be immediately apparent to experienced
nature watchers, and those which are most likely to be seen by amateur entomologists,
students and tourists visiting the country. In total, more than 1000 species are
photo-documented, in many cases for the first time.
This atlas will also serve as a visual aid for teachers of conservation biology
and will provide an introduction to entomology for students and school children
preparing to become naturalists, and will also appeal to nature lovers and wildlife
photographers. From a scientific perspective, the expert identifications provided by
the authors will be of great value to curators of entomology collections in museums
throughout the world. It is also expected to promote the development of scientific
tourism, eco-tourism and amateur photography within Kazakhstan.
Dr Vladimir L. Kazenas is Head of the Laboratory of Entomology in the
Institute of Zoology, Kazakhstan National Academy of Science, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Dr Vitaly A. Kastcheev is the main scientific employee of the Laboratory of Entomology
in the Institute of Zoology of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic
of Kazakhstan. He is also the president of the Kazakh Entomological Society.
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