scholarly journals Using Malaise traps to sample ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

2005 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Ulyshen ◽  
James L. Hanula ◽  
Scott Horn

Pitfall traps provide an easy and inexpensive way to sample ground-dwelling arthropods (Spence and Niemela 1994; Spence et al. 1997; Abildsnes and Tommeras 2000) and have been used exclusively in many studies of the abundance and diversity of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Despite the popularity of this trapping technique, pitfall traps have many disadvantages. For example, they often fail to collect both small (Spence and Niemela 1994) and “trap-shy” species (Benest 1989), eventually deplete the local carabid population (Digweed et al. 1995), require a species to be ground-dwelling in order to be captured (Liebherr and Mahar 1979), and produce different results depending on trap diameter and material, type of preservative used, and trap placement (Greenslade 1964; Luff 1975; Work et al. 2002).

Author(s):  
Stine K. Jacobsen ◽  
Lene Sigsgaard ◽  
Anna B. Johansen ◽  
Kristian Thorup-Kristensen ◽  
Per M. Jensen

Abstract Introduction Agricultural intensification results in biodiversity loss through land conversion and management practices which negatively impact arthropods. The abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling predators, e.g. ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and spiders (Araneae), are negatively affected by soil disturbances such as tillage. Reducing soil disturbances can potentially conserve arthropod populations in the field and reduce the use of chemical pest controls. The present study investigated the ground-dwelling predatory community using pitfall traps in cereal fields with three different levels of soil disturbance: conventional tillage, reduced tillage and no tillage under Conservation Agriculture management, in 2018 and 2019. Pitfall traps were placed in transects from the field margins. Overall, the activity-density of ground-dwelling predators was higher in fields with minimum soil disturbance and generally declined with increased distance to semi-natural habitats. Functional diversity, expressed by the body size of ground beetles, was also affected by soil disturbances; large ground beetles more consistently occurred in CA, while few or none of the largest ground beetles were found in RT and CT. A higher sample-heterogeneity in less disturbed fields was indicated by a more variable median and higher skewness in the number of predators in those fields. In 2019 only, species diversity was higher along field edges bordering semi-natural habitats when compared to the cropped area. Our results show that reduced tillage supports predator arthropod communities at a local scale: It also bolsters agro-ecosystem resilience by promoting a higher activity-density and by increasing the heterogeneity and functional diversity of ground-dwelling predators. Implications for insect conservation The results obtained in the present study show that soil disturbances significantly influence arthropod abundance and diversity. Conservation of epigeic natural enemies in the agricultural landscape is improved by reducing soil-disturbing events such as tillage.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Nasuha Abd Aziz ◽  
Siti Khairiyah Mohd Hatta ◽  
Idris Abd Ghani ◽  
Saiyid Jalaluddin Saiyid Shaifuddin

A study on abundance and diversity of Hymenoptera was conducted in Gunung Datuk, Rembau. Samplings were conducted from November 2014 to February 2015 using six Malaise traps. Three traps were placed at Site 1 at 700m height for high elevation and the remaining traps were placed at Site 2 at 200m height for low elevation. A total number of 221 Hymenopteran were collected which consist of nine families namely Ichneumonidae, Formicidae, Braconidae, Bethylidae, Evaniidae, Tiphiidae, Vespidae, Pompilidae and Apidae. In this study, 93 individuals were obtained from Site 1, comprising nine families and 43 morphospecies while 127 individuals were obtained from Site 2 with nine families and 45 morphospecies. Formicidae was the most dominant family collected from both sites with a total of 104 individuals while the least family recorded was Apidae with only one individual. Shannon’s Weiner Diversity Index (H’) showed Site 1 had the higher diversity value with H’ = 3.17 compared to Site 2 with value H’ = 3.12. For Evenness Index, Site 1 had higher value compared to Site 2 with E’ = 0.84 and E’ = 0.82 respectively. Moreover, for Margalef Richness Index, Site 1 recorded R’ = 9.24 while site two recorded R’ = 9.08 which concluded that Site 1 had higher species richness compared to Site 2. Paired t-test showed that both sites had no significant difference with p>0.05. Overall study showed that the diversity and abundance of Hymenoptera in Gunung Datuk were low since the value of H’ is less than 3.50.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. ec02002
Author(s):  
Ivan C. F. Martins ◽  
Francisco J. Cividanes

The Ground beetles occurrence in agricultural areas can contribute to pest control as well as indicate environmental quality. This study aimed to evaluate the composition of the Carabidae community in an agricultural area of annual crops. Ninety-six pitfall traps were installed in a grid 10 meters apart. The experimental area had one hectare in a double-cropping system of soybean (summer) and corn (autumn-winter) followed by a fallow period. Ground beetle composition analysis was performed using ANAFAU software. We collected 42 species and 1537 specimens of Carabidae distributed in 14 tribes. Harpalini tribe was the most common compared to the others. Were considered predominant, in the fauna analysis, the species Calosoma alternans granulatum Perty, 1830, Selenophorus discopunctatus Dejean, 1829, Selenophorus alternans Dejean, 1829, Selenophorus sp.1, Tetracha brasiliensis (Kirby, 1819), Abaris basistriata Chaudoir, 1873 and Galerita collaris Dejean, 1826. Thus, a diverse and abundant Carabidae community was identified in that cropping system.


2015 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 367-372
Author(s):  
M.M. Davidson ◽  
B.G. Howlett ◽  
R.C. Butler ◽  
N.M. Taylor ◽  
M.K. Walker

Shelterbelts of Pinus radiata and Cupressus macrocarpa are common landscape features on arable farmland in New Zealand This study aimed to determine whether such shelterbelts could influence the relative abundance and diversity of beneficial and pest invertebrates commonly found in arable crops Window intercept yellow sticky and pitfall traps were placed next to shelterbelts or post and wire fences and also 50 m from these borders into adjacent crops on two arable farms in Canterbury and one in Wairarapa over 12 weeks in summer 2012 and autumn 2013 The abundance of given species/taxa varied considerably depending on farm location season and field border type However the mean number of beneficial insect species/taxa per trap did not vary markedly between field border types or adjacent crops while traps at shelterbelts or their adjacent crops caught more of some pest species/taxa than traps beside fences The pine/macrocarpa shelterbelts did not markedly increase relative abundance or diversity of beneficial insects


Author(s):  
Jana Niedobová ◽  
Vladimír Hula ◽  
Pavla Šťastná

Collecting of Carabidae was conducted using pitfall traps at four sites. The first two sites (T1 + T2) were at the slope of Macošská stráň and the other two sites (T3 + T4) at the slope of Vilémovická stráň. The study was done in 2008 and 2009. At Macošská stráň in 2008, 21 species of Carabidae with the total number of 228 individuals were found and in 2009, 18 species of the total number of 116 specimens were collected. At Vilémovická stráň in 2008, 22 species of Carabidae with the total number of 1977 specimens were found and in 2009, 21 species of the total number of 623 specimens were caught. In terms of classification of relictness, Macošská stráň in 2008 was dominated by species of adaptable group A (60%), species of eurytop group (E) were represented by 35% and of relic group (R) by 5%. In 2009, the same representation of species of groups A and E (47%) were found and the species of group R were represented by 6%. Vilémovická stráň in 2008 was dominated by species of group A (52%), species of group E were represented by 43% and of group R by 5%. In 2009 also dominated species of group A (54%), species of group E were represented by 41% and of group R by 5%. In the studied area we reported four endangered species of Carabidae protected by Law (No. 395/1992 Coll.) as amended, these were Calosoma auropunctatum (critically endangered), Brachinus crepitans, Carabus ullrichii and Cicindela campestris (endangered) and two species listed under the Red List of Threatened Species of the Czech Republic (Veselý et al., 2005). One of the species is listed as vulnerable (Calosoma auropunctatum) and one as near endangered (Carabus cancellatus). Another significant species found on the monitored sites was Aptinus bombarda.


2003 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Buddle ◽  
H.E. James Hammond

Pitfall trapping is a widely used sampling method for biodiversity-related research of ground-dwelling arthropods. The trap is a container, usually with a preservative, that is sunk into the ground to collect arthropods which happen upon the trap perimeter and fall in (Lemieux and Lindgren 1999; Work et al. 2002). Two types receive the most use: deep circular pitfall traps and shallow rectangular pan traps (Marshall et al. 2001). The preserving fluid can influence trap efficacy (Deville and Wheeler 1998). Our objectives were to compare the efficiency of pitfall and pan traps with and without detergent in the preserving fluid (Marshall et al. 1994), using carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and spiders (Araneae) as focal taxa.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma L. Gray ◽  
Chris J. Burwell ◽  
Andrew M. Baker

The endangered black-tailed dusky antechinus (Antechinus arktos) was described in 2014, so most aspects of its ecology are unknown. We examined diet composition and prey selection of A. arktos and a sympatric congener, the northern form of A. stuartii, at two sites in Springbrook National Park. Overall, taxa from 25 invertebrate orders were identified in the diets from 252 scat samples. Dietary components were similar for each species, but A. arktos consumed a higher frequency and volume of dipteran larvae and Diplopoda, while A. stuartii consumed more Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Isopoda. Both species of Antechinus had a higher percentage of ‘empty’ scats (devoid of any identifiable invertebrate material) in 2014 compared with 2015. The former was a drier year overall. Lower rainfall may have reduced abundance and diversity of arthropod prey, causing both species to supplement their diet with soft-bodied prey items such as earthworms, which are rarely detected in scats. Comparison of prey in scats with invertebrate captures from pitfall traps showed both species to be dietary generalists, despite exhibiting distinct preference and avoidance of certain prey categories. The ability of an endangered generalist marsupial to switch prey may be particularly advantageous considering the anticipated effects of climate change on Gondwanan rainforests during the mid-late 21st century.


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Gelbič ◽  
Jiří Olejníček

AbstractEcological investigations of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) were carried out in wet meadow wetlands near České Budějovice, Czech Republic. Sampling was performed during the adult flies’ seasonal activity (March–October) in 2002, 2003 and 2004 using yellow pan traps, Malaise traps, emergence traps, and by sweeping. Altogether 5,697 specimens of 78 species of Dolichopodidae were collected, identified and analysed. The study examined community structure, species abundance, and diversity (Shannon-Weaver’s index - H’; Sheldon’s equitability index - E). Chrysotus cilipes, C. gramineus and Dolichopus ungulatus were the most abundant species in all three years. Species richness and diversity seem strongly affected by soil moisture.


2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 674-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Côté ◽  
Jean Ferron ◽  
Réjean Gagnon

We used an extensive vertebrate exclosure experiment to evaluate black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) postdispersal seed and seedling predation by invertebrates in three boreal habitats of Eastern Canada: recent burn, spruce–moss, and lichen woodland. Between 9% and 19% of seeds were eaten by invertebrates. Seed predation was higher in recent burns than in spruce–moss and lichen woodlands. Abundance and diversity of potential invertebrate seed consumers sampled in pitfall traps also varied among habitat types. Among the invertebrate seed consumers sampled, Myrmica spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Pterostichus adstrictus (Eschscholtz, 1823) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were the most numerous; Formica spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Pterostichus punctatissimus (Randall, 1838) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were also present. Between 2% and 12% of juvenile black spruce seedlings were eaten by invertebrates. The most important seedling consumers were slugs (molluscs). Invertebrate predation of seeds and seedlings was highest (19% and 12%) in recent burns, indicating that invertebrate predation may significantly influence black spruce regeneration in these sites.


1988 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 917-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmer A.C. Hagley ◽  
W.R. Allen

AbstractPterostichus melanarius Ill. was the predominant ground beetle recovered in pitfall traps in three blocks of apple trees at Jordan Station, Ont. In one block, C, the number of mature fifth-instar larvae of Cydia pomonella (L.) seeking overwintering sites was related significantly (r2 = 0.5476, P < 0.05) to the number of P. melanarius caught, but was not related significantly (r2 = 0.1181, P > 0.10) to the proportion of beetles that were serologically positive. The proportion of larvae pupating also was not related significantly (r2 = 0.2014, P > 0.10) to the number of P. melanarius. The total number of all predators caught was related significantly (r2 = 0.4490, P < 0.05) to the number of larvae present, but the proportion of larvae that pupated was not related significantly (r2 = 0.3606, P > 0.05) to the total number of predators.In block A, in 1983–1985, the number of mature larvae of C. pomonella seeking overwintering sites was not related significantly (r2 = 0.3763, 0.3619, and 0.5042, P > 0.05, respectively) to the number of P. melanarius taken in pitfall traps. In both blocks A and B, the number of serologically positive beetles was not related significantly (r2 = 0.3824 and 0.7921, P > 0.10, respectively) to the number of larvae seeking overwintering sites.Amara aenea DeG., Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis F., Bembidion quadrimaculatum oppositum Say, Clivinia impressifrons LeC., Diplochaeila impressicolis (Dej.), Harpalus aeneus F., and Pterostichus chalcites Say also gave positive serological reactions to the antiserum against C. pomonella.The occurrence of other species of Lepidoptera did not affect significantly the results obtained for C. pomonella.


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