The Trichoptera of Kazakhstan: A review

A review of the Kazakh caddisfly fauna has been prepared for the first time based on literature data and results of the authors' own research. Currently 148 species of caddisflies of 59 genera and 17 families are known for Kazakhstan. The most diverse families are Limnephilidae with 35 species, Leptoceridae 20, Hydropsychidae 17, Lepidostomatidae 10, Glossosomatidae 9, and Rhyacophilidae 8 species. In total, these six families account for 67% of total biodiversity of the Kazakhstan caddisfly fauna. Other families are represented by fewer species: Psychomyiidae with 5 species, Hydroptilidae 7, Apataniidae 8, Phryganeidae 8, and Polycentropodidae 7. Only 1–3 species are known for each of the families Philopotamidae, Ecnomidae, Stenopsychidae, Molannidae, Brachycentridae, and Goeridae. The largest numbers of species are known from southern (80 species) and eastern (70 species) Kazakhstan, probably because the aquatic entomofauna in these regions and neighboring territories is better studied. Also, these regions are characterized with the most diverse natural conditions, from semi-desert plains to alpine meadows. Generally, the Kazakhstan caddisfly fauna is poorly studied, and it is expected that new records and new species will be found in Kazakhstan in the future.