The succeeding study comprised a comparative analysis of three-year research (2020–2022) on the fauna and ecological distribution of orthopteroid insects (Orthoptera, Mantodea, and Dermaptera) in the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve, Central Kazakhstan. Field surveys proceeded at 23 monitoring sites representing major habitat types, including wetlands, coastal zones, steppe, wormwood-grass communities, solonchaks, and stony biotopes. Overall, the recorded species totaled 46 belonging to eight taxonomic groups. The highest species richness resulted in the locust family Acrididae (25 species) and the bush-cricket family Tettigoniidae (12 species). Species distribution and abundance displayed considerable association with vegetation structure, moisture conditions, and the degree of anthropogenic impacts. In some habitats, population density reached up to 300 individuals per hour. The most widespread and dominant species were Chorthippus karelini, Euchorthippus pulvinatus, Chorthippus biguttulus, and Eremippus comatus, while the species Myrmeleotettix pallidus and Omocestus petraeus were dominating locally. An increase in the population of the potentially harmful species (Calliptamus italicus, Locusta migratoria, and Oedaleus decorus) also emerged. However, the documentation of several species occurred for the first time in the Korgalzhyn Reserve, including Roeseliana roeselii, Phaneroptera falcata, and Conocephalus dorsalis.
Orthopteroid insects (Orthoptera, Dermaptera, Mantodea), Korgalzhyn reserve, ecological distribution, biodiversity, population, steppe stations, fauna of Kazakhstan
With three years of study, identifying 46 species of orthopteroid insects succeeded in the Korgalzhyn Reserve, demonstrating the highest biodiversity across steppe and wetland habitats. Dominant species, such as Chorthippus karelini and Euchorthippus pulvinatus, revealed considerable adaptability to variations in vegetation structure and moisture conditions.