Colonisation of kiwifruit orchards by endemic scarabaeoids (Coleoptera)

Abstract

Horticultural systems can be important habitats for some endemic species. Knowledge of their biodiversity is, however, very limited. Scarabaeoid beetles from a kiwifruit orchard were sampled weekly by superbright LED-lit window-pane type traps over a period of two years (2007–2009). Eight endemic and five adventive scarabaeoid species were identified. Four of the endemic species were Scarabaeidae and four were Lucanidae. The most abundant scarab and lucanid was Costelytra zealandica White and Mitophyllus arcuatus Holloway respectively. Two other endemic melolonthine scarabs, Odontria borealis (Given) and O. sylvatica Broun, were also relatively abundant. Results of a linear discriminant analysis of four habitats (bush, kiwifruit, shelter trees and pasture) based on the total scarabaeoid fauna suggested that shelter trees differ from the other three. There may be preferential use of shelter trees for oviposition or for mating and as a dispersal corridor. This study suggests that kiwifruit orchards do provide habitats for a variety of endemic scarabaeoids other than the widespread C. zealandica.