COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE FAUNA OF AGRIOTES ESCHSCHOLTZ, 1829 CLICK BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, ELATERIDAE) OF THE CAUCASUS

Abstract. The aim is to give the description of the species composition of the click beetles of the genus Agriotes Eschscholtz, 1829, in order to show significant differences and differentiation between the faunas of certain regions of the Caucasus. Methods. When collecting materials, the following general entomological methods were used: soil traps, trapping beetles with baits and light, mowing, shaking them from trees and bushes on a polyethylene screen mesh. Results. Comparative analysis of the species composition of the genus Agriotes of the Caucasus showed that the Northwest Caucasus is dominant in species diversity and is represented by 19 species (70.3%); the second largest is the Northeast part of the Greater Caucasus, represented by 18 species (66.6%), the third are Armenia and Eastern Georgia represented by 15 (55.6%) and 14 (51.8%) respectively, followed by the South-Eastern part of Azerbaijan, 10 species (30%). Of the 27 species, 7 species are common to all natural areas (26.9%). Conclusion. The analysis of the obtained data revealed significant differences and differentiation between faunas of the clickbeetles of the genus Agriotes of certain regions of the Caucasus, which are explained by the presence of independent centers of species formation in the mountain regions