Occurrence Of Carabid Beetles Research Articles

Effect of scots pine forest management on soil properties and carabid beetle occurrence under post-fire environmental conditions - a case study from Central Europe

BackgroundFires have a fundamental impact on phytocoenoses and, depending on the size of the fire, can have a positive or negative effect. The role of fires in the formation of the species composition of plants, restoration of stands and changes in soil properties is well studied. However, the long-term relationship between forest management methods, soil properties and epigeic entomofauna assemblages in post-fire areas is still not clear. The effects of Scots pine stand management methods on biochemical soil properties and ground beetle assemblages in the largest post-fire area in Central Europe after the second World were investigated. The study was conducted in the Rudy Raciborskie Forest district in southern Poland. The soil properties and epigeic beetle community structure were analysed. The research covered areas with natural and artificial pine regeneration, which were subjected to various care treatments.ResultsThe tendency for higher accumulations of organic matter in the soil of stands that underwent natural regeneration was proven. The stimulating role of soil organic carbon on the activity of dehydrogenases in the soil of naturally renewed areas with silvicultural treatment (NRAT) was noted. Regardless of the manner of stand regeneration, the activity of β-glucosidase was higher in the areas in which breeding treatments were practised. Furthermore, managed forest stands presented a higher abundance of carabid beetles than stands without treatment practices. Thirteen epigeic beetle species from the families Geotrupidae, Carabidae, Curculionidae, Cerambycidae and Silphidae were captured, with beetles from the first two families being the most numerous. Rare epigeal carabid species in the fauna of Poland and Europe, such as Carabus glabratus (Paykull) and Carabus auronitens Fabr., found appropriate habitat conditions for survival in the post-fire areas. Compared with the other areas, in the NRAT area, there were better stand and soil properties and more features conducive to epigeic entomofaunal occurrences. The highest post-fire content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was recorded in the soils of the sites that underwent artificial regeneration. The results suggest that preparing the soil before the introduction of new vegetation affects the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).ConclusionsThe better performance of the NRAT stand draws attention to the positive aspects of the use of natural regeneration, both from ecological and economic perspectives. The effects of forest management on the amount of soil organic matter after fires have been proven. The natural regeneration of stands was conducive to the accumulation of organic matter. The enzymatic activity of soils is influenced by the renewal method and forest management strategy. The NRAT area was characterized by the highest number of carabid species.

Niche partitioning in carabids: single‐tree admixtures matter

Abstract The importance of tree mixtures to the faunal and floral biodiversity of forests has been documented on many occasions, but little is known about the relationships between single‐tree effects, such as litter distribution and carabid beetles. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of carabid beetles and the locations of admixed oak trees within a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand. Individuals of four Carabus species were collected in dry pitfall traps in a pine forest with single admixed sessile oaks [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.]. The capture–mark–recapture technique was used to differentiate carabid beetles by species, gender (female, male), and development stage (imagines, larvae). Three zones of influence were defined according to the distribution of oak leaf litter. The beetle counts from trap data were transformed to a point pattern by means of a random‐field approach where it is assumed that the beetle count per trap is representative of a specified number of single points in the square surrounding the trap. Spatial patterns specific to species, gender, and development stage were observed relative to the oak tree locations. Females and larvae of C. coriaceus and C. hortensis had a high affinity to the oaks, whereas C. violaceus revealed a negative association to the oak trees. No clear trend could be observed for C. arvensis. It was concluded that single‐tree admixtures of oaks affect the spatial patterns of mobile organisms (e.g. Coleoptera) serving as ecological niches in pine forests.

Occurrence of Carabid Beetles in the Phenological Stages of Weedy Plants

In the current study, we investigated the relationship between the abundance of carabid species (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and the phenological stages of weedy plants growing in edge habitats. A survey of carabid beetles was conducted in edge habitats between forest fragments and soybean/corn crops or orange orchards in five sites located in northeastern Sao Paulo state, Brazil, from November 2005 to May 2008. Beetles were captured with pitfall traps, and multiple regression analysis was used to determine the carabid species that prevailed on each of the phenological stages of weeds. In total, 1115 individuals, representing 26 genera and 52 species, were captured. Selenophorus species, mainly Selenophorus seriatoporus Putzeys, Selenophorus sp.4, Helluomorphoides squiresi (Chaudoir), Tetragonoderus laevigatus Chaudoir, Athrostictus sp.1 were abundant during the reproductive phenological stages of weedy plants, which suggests that these carabid species might prefer to feed on the seeds of weedy plants.

A comparison of the effects of minimum-till and conventional-till methods, with and without straw incorporation, on slugs, slug damage, earthworms and carabid beetles in autumn-sown cereals

SUMMARYThe present study compared slug, earthworm and carabid beetle abundance and slug damage to plants in minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) autumn-sown cereals. Winter barley was sown by CT and MT for 3 years followed by winter wheat for 6 years on a light-textured soil (Trial 1). Each cultivation was split so that straw was incorporated into the soil during cultivation in one split while the other did not receive straw. A similar investigation with winter wheat, over the same period, was undertaken on a nearby heavy-textured soil (Trial 2). The effects of method of cultivation and soil incorporation of straw on slug abundance and damage, and on earthworm populations were measured. Additionally, at Trial 1, the effects of cultivation and straw treatments on carabid beetle occurrence were measured in years 5–9. Over the 9 years, the method of cultivation had a significant effect on slug numbers in each trial. Slugs were more numerous in MT than CT plots, significantly so in 3 of the 9 years in Trial 1 and in 5 years in Trial 2. In Trial 1, slug numbers were significantly greater on no-straw than straw plots in 3 years as well as for the 9 years combined. Slug numbers did not differ between straw and no-straw plots in Trial 2. Slug numbers varied significantly between years and were influenced by factors other than the method of cultivation and straw application. Slug damage to seed and seedlings was quite low in each year (1–2%). Slug damage to cereal leaves at GS 23 was widespread in both trials, and severe in some years. MT had more leaf damage than CT in 5 of the 9 years in each trial, significantly so in 3 years in Trial 1 and in 4 years in Trial 2. Straw did not affect leaf damage in either MT or CT. Slug damage was not related to, nor did it affect either ear density or grain yield. The dominant slug species wasDeroceras reticulatum.Earthworm numbers were significantly greater in MT than CT, for combined years, in each trial. Annually, these differences were significant for 5 years in Trial 1 and 2 years in Trial 2. Straw plots had significantly more earthworms than no-straw, for combined years, in each trial. The latter differences were significant for 5 years in Trial 1 and 3 years in Trial 2. In MT, the positive effect of straw on earthworm numbers was significant in Trial 2 but not in Trial 1. In CT, the latter effect was significant in each trial.Lumbricusspecies were more numerous in MT than CT and in straw than no-straw treatments. The impact of cultivation on numbers of carabid beetles was species-specific. The large beetle,Pterostichus melanarius, was significantly more numerous in MT than CT in 2 of the 5 years and for the aggregate of 5 years. Small carabids (Bembidionspecies andTrechus quadristriatus) were significantly more abundant in CT than MT in 3 of the 5 years as well as for the aggregate of 5 years. Straw did not affect the number of any or all carabid species either for combined cultivations (MT + CT) or within either MT or CT. It is concluded that MT increases slug numbers, slug damage and earthworm numbers relative to CT cultivations. MT favours large carabid beetles and CT favours small beetles. Straw incorporation increases earthworm numbers but not slugs, slug damage or carabid beetles. Slug damage to cereal leaves does not affect ear density or grain yield in either MT or CT crops when sown to a depth of 40 mm and before 18 September.

Additional Records of the Distribution and Occurrence of Carabid Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Turkey

Forty-nine species/subspecies of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were identified from specimens previously collected from several locations in Turkey. The identified specimens represented the subfamilies Carabinae (Tribe Carabini), Nebriinae (Tribe Notiophilini), Trechinae (Tribe Bembidiini), Pterostichinae (Tribes Agonini, Pterostichini, Zabrini), Harpalinae (Tribe Harpalini), Callistinae (Tribes Licinini, Callistini), Lebiinae (Tribe Lebiini), and Brachininae (Tribe Brachinini). The majority (n = 20) of species/subspecies represented the subfamily Harpalinae. All species/subspecies identified had been previously reported from Turkey; however, the reported distribution of each was expanded into additional provinces with this study. The majority of the new records were from Niğde (n = 24) and Ankara (n = 15). Other new records were from Aksaray (5), Nevşehir (3), Sinop (2), Samsun (2), Rize (2), Afyon (1), Konya (1), and Kayseri (1). These data add to our knowledge of carabid distribution in Turkey.

The occurrence and distribution of carabid beetles (Carabidae) on islands in the Baltic Sea: a review

The distribution and occurrence of carabid beetles have been studied extensively in a number of archipelagoes in the Baltic Sea, a ca. 377,000 km2, fairly shallow and young sea in northern Europe. This work has revealed some surprising results related to colonisation success and maintenance of populations. Dispersal from the mainland and between islands appears to be relatively easy because inter-island distances are small (tens or hundreds of metres) and the salinity of the Baltic is low, which allows survival during drift. This is reflected in the higher than expected proportion of brachypterous species on small islands. A lack of energetically expensive wings, flight muscles and flight fuel may give brachypterous species an advantage - in terms of resource allocation for survival and fecundity - over macropterous species in the colonisation of an island. Once an island is reached, successful colonisation mainly depends on the presence of suitable habitat. The most abundantly collected carabids on these islands are habitat generalists, but some degree of habitat association exists. Yet, the composition of carabid assemblages differs substantially among islands, possibly a result of chance effects. There is evidence that species on smaller islands occur in a wider variety of vegetation types than species on larger islands. Both habitat diversity and area per se are implicated in the positive species-area relationships found, but the small island effect has been identified as being significant in most of the archipelagoes investigated. Pterostichus melanarius, a eurytopic, wing-polymorphic species abundantly collected on the mainland is, unexpectedly, absent from small islands. Possible reasons for this include; (1) interspecific predation and competition for food by the closely related but slightly larger P. niger, which is dominant on small islands, (2) the apparent inability of P. melanarius to reproduce on small islands, (3) its reduced dispersal power as compared to P. niger and (4) the possible absence of some essential resources from small islands. In conclusion, the conservation value of highly threatened cultural landscapes on Baltic Sea islands, such as species rich wooded meadows, is discussed as well as the possible negative effects of climate change on carabid beetles.

Distribution of Carabid Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Across a Forest-Grassland Ecotone in Southwestern China

This paper studied the occurrence of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the forest edge, the adjacent forest interior, and the surrounding grassland in southwestern China. Beetles were collected with pitfall traps along five replicated transects. Forest species rarely penetrated into the grassland from the forest interior, and the grassland specialists were not found in the forest interior. The forest edge hosted additional species from the adjacent grassland that increased its overall species richness. Nearly all forest species (23 of 24 species) and grassland species (13 of 15 species) can be found in the forest edge. Carabids of the forest edge were more similar to those of the forest interior than to those of the grassland by ordination and cluster analysis. Based on the specificity and fidelity, carabids can be distinguished into five species groups: habitat generalists, grassland-associated species, forest generalists, forest specialists, and edge-associated species. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that canopy cover and/or shrub cover were the most important factors in determining the richness, abundance, and diversity of carabids. The forest edge may serve as a transition zone for dispersal and re-colonization of carabid beetles from adjacent habitats and therefore is important for natural conservation.

Carabid beetle occurrence at the edges of oak and beech forests in NW Spain

We examined the occurrence of carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) at the edges of oak (Quercus pyrenaica) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests in Leon, NW Spain. Pitfall traps were used to collect beetles from April to October 2002, and leaf litter cover and depth were measured. Traps were placed at three distances (0, 50 and 100 m) from the edges of eight forest patches. A total of 5436 carabids belonging to 43 species were collected. We found no statistically significant edge effect at the carabid assemblage level, i.e. the number of species and individuals was not higher at the edge compared to the forest interior. However, individual species were affected by distance from the edge. Five of the 14 species analysed responded predictably to the edge, three of them statistically significantly so. Four species did not respond in the predicted direction, two of them statistically significantly so. We found a considerable difference between forest types in terms of carabid assemblage composition and response to the edge. Oak forests were species richer and beech forests had a higher number of individuals. These differences were probably due to small- scale habitat heterogeneity in the oak forest patches, caused by man, and the homogeneous structure of beech forests. Leaf litter appeared to be one possible factor influencing the distribution of some species from the interior to the edge of forests.

Ground beetle occurrence and moor degradation: modelling a bioindication system by automated decision-tree induction and fuzzy logic

Abstract Mostly due to anthropogenic influences, moors in Central Europe are undergoing rapid succession. We tried to indicate five degradation stages of a peculiar type of moors, so-called kettle-hole moors, which are located in the region of terminal moraines left by the Pleistocene glaciation up until 10,000 years B.P. Using a database of more than 12,000 individuals of carabid beetles belonging to more than 100 species sampled in 25 sites of various stages of degradation, we tried to construct a bioindication system by the use of machine learning techniques. Model-tree induction yielded a classifier consisting of three decision-trees which was moderately successful in classifying moors into the correct degradation stages by using information on only nine species, thus reducing the biotic information to a necessary minimum and creating an extremely parsimonious model. A translation of the decision-trees into fuzzy rule-based models increased bioindicatory efficiency: only 1 of the 10 unseen cases used for validation deviated more than one class from the correct degradation stage. At the moment, this model reflects a static picture of kettle-hole moor degradation, confirming what can be said after macroscopic examination. Future studies must show whether the more subtle dynamic aspects of moor degradation can also be indicated by carabid beetle occurrence.

Occurrence of carabid beetles(Coleoptera: Carabidae) in cabbage fields and their possible impact on lepidopteran pests.

The species assemblage and seasonal activity of carabids were investigated in a cabbage field, an adjacent fallow field, and the field boundary during 1994 and 1995 by pitfall trapping. Trap catches indicated that Amara and Harpalus species were generally active in every habitat during the 1st (May to July) and 2nd (August to September) growing seasons, respectively. Small species such as Bembidion morawitzi Csiki were active in the 3rd growing season (November to March), especially in the cabbage plot. The adults of the beneficial species Chlaenius micans (F.) were active in the 1st and 2nd growing seasons and their larvae were found on cabbage heads in the 1st growing season. The adults of another beneficial species, Campalita chinense (Kirby), were active in the 2nd growing season; the larvae were trapped during the 1st and 2nd growing seasons. Although the seasonal activity patterns of these beneficial species varied spatially and temporally, they consistently preferred the cabbage plot to the boundary. The timing of the peak activity of the beneficial species coincided to some extent with the peak density of lepidopteran larvae. The activity pattern of the beneficial carabid species could enhance their value as biological control agents for cabbage pest insects.

The effects of trampling on assemblages of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in urban forests in Helsinki, Finland

The occurrence of carabid beetles in relation to trampling was examined in urban forest sites located in the city of Helsinki, southern Finland. The degree of wear of the forest floor was assessed and used as a measure of trampling intensity. In particular, we examined the following predictions: (1) carabid diversity should decrease with increasing trampling intensity, (2) mean body size of the dominating carabid species should decrease with increasing trampling intensity, and (3) opportunistic species should gain dominance in severely trampled sites. In total, 1,326 beetles representing 27 species were captured. The first prediction was not supported, as there was no correlation between species richness or Hill's N2 diversity index and trampling intensity. However, there was a positive correlation between number of carabids captured and trampling intensity of the site. The second hypothesis gained some support, as there was a marginally significant negative correlation between body size and trampling intensity. The hypothesis that opportunistic species should gain dominance in severely trampled sites was supported as one species was very dominant (Pterostichus melanarius, 60.0%) in the heavily trampled sites, while there were two equally and less dominant species in the less trampled sites. Individual species did show different responses to the effects of trampling, and the most sensitive forest species may not survive in the heavily trampled sites. We conclude that at the community level (e.g., species richness, diversity), the effects of trampling on carabids in urban forests are subtle, but impacts are pronounced for some sensitive species.

Quantifying the influence of the cultivated plant species on the occurrence of carabid beetles within certain species using contingency table analysis

The influence of the cultivated plant stand, subject to the timing of sampling, on the occurrence of selected carabid species is investigated for three years running. Due to the nominal character of the factors (cultivar, timing, carabid species and year) we used log-linear models of four dimensional contingency tables under certain hypotheses of independence. A coefficient of contingency is calculated for characterizing the partial association between two factors respectively. The difference in G 2 's between two nested models is used to test if there are differences between the three years concerning the strength of partial association between the number of beetles in the selected species and the cultivar or the sampling time respectively.