Sergey Vasiljevich Titov
This project aims to explore the populations and abundance of the vulnerable and rarely seen moth mixed red underwing Catocala deducta living in the floodplain forests of the largest river in Kazakhstan - the Irtysh River and prepare the measures for protection of the species and its habitat.
To prepare an application for the inclusion of this species in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. To inform environmental organizations in Pavlodar Oblast and the Forestry Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan about the status of the species so that they can include it in their plans for managing the territory.
In collaboration with teachers, information on the presence and vulnerability of the mixed red underwing will be distributed to schoolchildren in workshops held in primary schools, hoping to reduce the burning of dry grass and cutting of poplar and willow thickets among the local population.
The world's first photo of a white form of Catocala deducta in nature.
The rarely seen and vulnerable species of moth mixed red underwing (Catocala deducta) was found in Pavlodar region. Its habitat are the poplar-willow floodplain forests of the Irtysh River - the only environment suitable for the survival of this and many other species In the prevailing steppes of the Pavlodar region. The Irtysh River valley is also inhabited by rural settlements, which has a negative impact on floodplain forests and their biota.
By studying the populations and abundance of mixed red underwing we will prepare measures for its protection.
The conservation status of the zoological reserve has recently been granted to the territory of the Irtysh River, but none of the insect species inhabiting the land area of this region is currently under the protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan (the territory is inhabited by two protected species of Odonata that have aquatic larvae).
Together with the Institute of Zoology in Almaty, we are preparing an application for inclusion of Catocala deducta in the Red Book of Kazakhstan based on the results of this project. Environmental organizations in Pavlodar Oblast and the Forestry Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan will be informed about the status of the species so that they can include it in their plans for managing the territory.
In schools, for children aged 10 to 12 years, workshops will be held on beautiful mixed red underwing living in the surrounding nature to explain that the caterpillars of this rare moth develop on poplars and willows growing in the vicinity of their villages and that cutting down trees and burning willow bushes reduce their number. It will also be indicated to be careful with fire and abandon the tradition of burning dry grass in spring. We expect pupils to show interest in this information and start transmitting it to their parents and other people. We also look forward to interested teachers who will continue to use the information obtained to teach pupils.