Zoogeographic distribution and host plant relationships of Coccidae species in the Fergana valley, eastern Uzbekistan (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha)

Abstract

This study investigates the zoogeographic distribution, ecological characteristics, and host plant associations of soft scale insects (family Coccidae) in the Fergana Valley, which includes the Andijan, Fergana, and Namangan regions of eastern Uzbekistan. Field surveys conducted during the vegetation season yielded a total of 12 species identified based on morphology and georeferenced sampling. Zoogeographic analysis revealed that 66.7% of the species are cosmopolitan, 25% are endemic to the Palearctic region, and 8.3% are distributed across multiple regions. In total, more than 25 host plants belonging to 13 plant families were recorded. These findings provide valuable insights for pest monitoring and integrated management strategies in Central Asia.