Abundance and Diversity of Arthropods in Nests of Lark Sparrows (Chondestes grammacus)

Abstract

Abstract We examined abundance and diversity of arthropods in nests of lark sparrows (Chondestes grammacus). No true ectoparasite occurred in the nests sampled (n = 69) and no ectoparasite was found on nestlings. However, 67% of nests contained non-parasitic arthropods from ≥16 families. There was no significant difference in number of arthropods per gram of nesting material or diversity (at familial to higher taxonomic order) with height of nest (ground or arboreal), date of nesting, duration of activity per nesting attempt, mean or maximum temperature of nest, and frequency of prescribed burning of the habitat, or in relation to nest-building by two species of birds (lark sparrows and northern mockingbirds Mimus polyglottos).