Carabid Beetle Species Research Articles

A new carabid beetle of the genus Tachys with a key to species of its politus-group from China

A new carabid beetle species Tachysnanlingensissp. nov. from northern Guangdong Province, southern China, is described. This new species belongs to the politus-group being similar to Tachyspolitus Motchulsky. A key to the species of this group from China is provided. Types are deposited with the South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.

Taxon specific response of carabids (Coleoptera, Carabidae) and other soil invertebrate taxa on invasive plant Amorpha fruticosa in wetlands

False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L.) is an invasive exotic plant introduced to Europe in the early eighteenth century. Its spread has been rapid, particularly in disturbed wetland habitats, where it forms dense impermeable monospecific stands and modifies habitat conditions. The impact of A. fruticosa on native plant communities has been well analyzed, however knowledge concerning the possible effects on soil invertebrates and particularly carabid beetles is completely lacking. This study analyzed the impact of an A. fruticosa invasion on carabid beetles and other soil invertebrates. Soil fauna was sampled by pitfall traps at natural habitats, initially colonized by A. fruticosa, and habitats largely invaded by A. fruticosa. In total 2,613 carabid beetles belonging to 50 species and 72,166 soil invertebrates were collected. The invasion of A. fruticosa strongly affected the carabid beetle species composition, which clearly differed between all studied sites. Widespread euritopic carabid beetle species showed positive responses to A. fruticosa invasion, while the activity density of open habitat species strongly declined. Mean individual biomass was significantly higher at invaded sites due to increased incidence of large carabids (genus Carabus Linne, 1758). Carabid beetle activity density and abundance of soil invertebrates were considerably higher at invaded sites than in natural sites. Conversely, the impact of A. fruticosa on carabid beetle species richness and diversity was less pronounced, most likely due to immigration from adjacent habitats. Changes in carabid beetle species composition and abundance of soil invertebrates were most likely due to changes in vegetation structure and microclimate. The results suggest that A. fruticosa invasion considerably affected carabid beetles, an insect group that is only indirectly related to plant composition. Therefore, severe future changes can be expected in invertebrate groups that are closely related to plant composition, since A. fruticosa cannot be completely removed from the habitat and covers relatively large areas.

Diversity of Carabidae in limestone quarries of South Moravia

This paper presents the results of a study of Carabid beetles in two limestone quarries in South Moravia. The first one was a limestone quarry pit called Lesní lom which is located approximately 1 km away from the northern edge of the city district of Brno-Líšeň. The second locality was a limestone quarry of Malá dohoda which is located in a protected landscape area in the northern part of Moravian Karst. Using formaldehyde pitfall traps, 1682 specimens belonging to 66 species were caught in 2012, out of which 847 specimens (49 species) were from the active quarry of Malá dohoda and 835 specimens (40 species) came from Lesní lom quarry which had already been closed for 15 years at the time of research. The most abundant species included Anchomenus dorsalis, Carabus ullrichii ullrichii, C. cancellatus, and Aptinus bombarda. Relict species collected were Aptinus bombarda, Leistus rufomarginatus, and Carabus irregularis irregularis which is together with C. cancellatus, and Cylindera germanica included in the Red List of the Czech Republic. Xerothermophilic species of Carabid beetles found refuge mainly in the quarry marginal sites. In the case of Malá dohoda quarry, the influence of the surrounding PLA Moravian Karst was evident in the distribution of Carabid beetles.

Can urban consolidation limit local biodiversity erosion? Responses from carabid beetle and spider assemblages in Western France

During the last decades, urban consolidation has been developed to minimize spatial expansion of cities, yet very few studies investigated whether it would actually reduce some negative effects of urbanization on biodiversity. In this study, we compared the invertebrate assemblages associated with two distinct urban forms (compact vs. conventional), focusing on two arthropod taxa often used as bioindicators, and dominant in urban habitats: spiders and carabid beetles. The following parameters were estimated: assemblage composition, species richness, activity-density total, per species (excluding seldom-recorded species) and per size class. The field collection was performed in 2009 using pitfall traps randomly set in hedgerows within 6 sites (representing 251 traps). A total of 4,413 spiders belonging to 117 species and 2,077 adult carabid beetles belonging to 39 species were collected. We found few significant differences in carabid beetle and spider assemblages between the two urban forms. The species richness of both groups was independent from the neighborhood design. Only four species of carabid beetles and ten of spiders significantly reacted to the neighborhood design, and no difference was found among the two designs for all other species. Large carabid beetles were more abundant and small spiders less abundant in the new neighborhood design compared to the conventional one. For both carabid beetles and spiders, no difference in assemblage composition was found between neighborhood designs. We therefore conclude that urban consolidation, by permitting a higher human density with similar arthropod assemblages, could contribute to reduce biodiversity loss in cities.

Seasonal cold adaptation dynamics of some carabid beetle species: Carabus granulatus, Pterostichus oblongopunctatus and Platynus assimilis

Abstract Cold-hardiness can be measured by supercooling points – the temperature at which spontaneous freezing occurs. Seasonal changes in supercooling point were assessed in field-collected predacious carabid beetle species: Carabus granulatus L., Pterostichus oblongopunctatus L. and Platynus assimilis Payk. (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Supercooling ability of these beetles changed seasonally. The tested carabid beetles proved to belong to freeze-avoiding cryotype.

Impacts of Different Land-use Patterns on the Carabid Beetle Diversity and Species Assemblages in South Korea

This work was performed to assess the effect of urbanization on habitat loss. Carabid beetle assemblages were examined from agricultural, forested, and urban areas. Environmental variables, which had the greatest impact on the carabid assemblages, were litter, tree cover, slope, shrub cover, exchangeable calcium, and pH. Eighteen carabid species were collected and identified with respect to the eight land-use types. Natural forest and agricultural habitats both supported higher levels of species richness, relative to urbanized areas. However, both fragmented and managed forests (urban subtypes) also maintained their level of species richness, relative to garden lawns (urban subtype). Comparatively, in rural areas, habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices over time have shown to be more damaging to natural ecosystems than the impact of urbanization on urban landscapes. Alternatively, with a full grasp of the knowledge of the original habitat and the influence of the effects of urbanization on natural landscapes, the biodiversity of urban landscapes can be facultatively improved. More importantly, sustainable management programs such as those aimed at inner city urban agriculture and habitat creation programs are supportive in maintaining ecosystem biodiversity.

The first precinctive Carabidae from Moorea, Society Islands: new Mecyclothorax spp. (Coleoptera) from the summit of Mont Tohiea

Seven species of Mecyclothorax Sharp from Moorea, Society Islands are newly described; Mecyclothorax perraulti sp. n., Mecyclothorax pahere sp. n., Mecyclothorax menemene sp. n., Mecyclothorax mahatahi sp. n., Mecyclothorax popotioaoa sp. n., Mecyclothorax mapo sp. n., and Mecyclothorax fatata sp. n. These constitute the first Mecyclothorax species described from Moorea, and the first carabid beetle species shown to be geographically restricted to that island. Each of the newly described species is most similar to a different species on the island of Tahiti, suggesting that none of the seven Moorean taxa are evolutionary end-products of autochthonous speciation within Moorea. The occurrence of precinctive Mecyclothorax species on both Moorea and Tahiti demonstrates that radiation of Mecyclothorax in the Society Islands has been facilitated by speciation events implicating both islands. Whether this speciation has been preceded by vicariance or dispersal is discussed, with the generality of a dispersal hypothesis tested using information from Society Island Nabidae (Hemiptera). Salient morphological characters for taxa in the Society and Hawaiian Islands are compared to those representing a broad survey of southwest Pacific Mecyclothorax spp. This comparison supports the independent founding of each radiation in the Societies and Hawaii from an Australian ancestral propagule, likely drawn from the ecologically general, geographically widespread Mecyclothorax punctipennis (Macleay).

Evaluation of Carabid Beetle Diversity in Different Bioenergy Cropping Systems

Changes in agricultural land use as a consequence of an increased demand of energy crops have resulted in an increase of maize cropped area in many regions of Germany. The focus on maize as main biogas substrate, has led in some cases to negative ecological and environmental impacts, such as a loss of agro biodiversity reflected in a loss of field flora and fauna biodiversity. The present paper deals with the evaluation of the fauna in different bioenergy cropping systems on two sites in South-West Germany, with a special focus on the species richness of carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages as an indicator for the general status of diversity. A maize field, an agroforestry system with maize and different tree species as well as different alternative biogas crops (amaranth, sunflower) was investigated for their carabid beetle activity, density, and species richness using pitfall traps. Moreover, for an adequate evaluation of the carabid assemblages different common diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener diversity (H’), Simpson diversity (D) and Evenness (J’)) were used. In the case of the maize field on both field edges 8 and 6 carabid beetle species, respectively were trapped, while in the field centre 2 carabid beetle species were trapped. The agroforestry system indicated slightly higher crabid beetle species richness close to the tree strips. The investigation of alternative biogas crops showed no significant differences in carabid beetle diversity. Overall, the results of the different studies showed, that biodiversity of bioenergy cropping systems could be enhanced by the creation of refuge areas for carabid beetles or other animals. Refuges could be either field margins with grass and hedgerows or strips of more extensively used perennial energy crops across the field.

Ground Beetles on Islands: On the Effects of Habitat and Dispersal

Neutral theory focuses on random dispersal and species equivalence, and challenges views on the ecological importance of life history traits and habitat properties in explaining community assembly and the spatial distribution of species. Ground beetles are a popular model taxon to test predictions of contrasting macroecological theories. Here we investigate the effects of habitat properties and life history on the occurrence and community structure of 71 carabid beetle species inhabiting 15 lake islands in NE Poland. Island properties, particularly area and habitat quality, were positively linked to the occurrences of 42% of the species and correlated with species richness and β-diversity. Life history traits (hibernation type, dispersal ability and average abundances) significantly influenced species occurrences. Thus, site and species properties influence the spatial distribution of species and macroecological patterns on islands.

Significantly Higher Carabid Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Catch in Conventionally than in Organically Managed Christmas Tree Plantations

Abstract Carabid beetles play an important role as consumers of pest organisms in forestry and agriculture. Application of pesticides may negatively affect abundance and activity of carabid beetles, thus reducing their potential beneficial effect. We investigated how abundance and diversity of pitfall trapped carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) varied between conventionally and organically managed Caucasian Fir (Abies nordmanniana (Stev.)) plantations, in northern Zealand, Denmark. We recorded significantly higher numbers of carabid beetle specimens and species at conventionally than at organically managed sites. Carabid beetle abundance and richness did not decline more between two sampling periods at sites with pesticide application than at unamended sites. Apparently, the amount of bare ground, which dominated in the conventionally managed, herbicide treated sites, correlated closely with the number of recorded carabid beetle specimens. Thus we attribute the higher catch at the conventionally manag...

Carabid beetle species as a biological indicator for different habitat types of agricultural landscapes in Korea

In the current study, several carabid beetle species were proposed as potential biological indicators for different habitat types (levee, upland dike, hillock, and streamside) of agricultural landscapes focusing on agrobiont species. Synuchus arcuaticollis and Synuchus orbicollis were found in all habitat types, indicating that they are general species for all habitat types. Harpalus eous and Synuchus cycloderus are potential bioindicator species for the paddy levee and hillock habitats, respectively. Amara pseudosimplicidens, Anisodactylus punctatipennis, and Chlaenius ocreatus, which occurred widely, and Bembidion morawitzi, which occurred only in the streamside habitat, are potential bioindicators for the streamside habitat.

New Records of Nematomorph Parasites (Nematomorpha: Gordiida) of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Camel Crickets (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) In Washington State

From 1998 to 2003, beetles and crickets infected with hairworms were collected from 4 localities within the Hanford Nuclear Site and the Hanford Reach National Monument, located in a shrub-steppe region of Washington State along the Columbia River. Infected hosts comprised 6 species of carabid beetles within 5 genera and 2 camel crickets within 1 genus; all are newly documented insect-nematomorph associations. A large proportion of the infected hosts (48%) were collected from a single site during a single collecting period. Of the 38 infected hosts, 32 contained a single worm, 4 hosts contained 2 worms, and 2 hosts contained 3 worms. Five of the hosts with multiple infections contained at least 1 male and 1 female worm. Camel crickets were infected with Neochordodes occidentalis while carabids were infected with an undescribed species of Gordionus . As the majority of hairworms are collected in the post-parasitic adult phase, host data and hairworm-arthropod associations remain poorly documented and our work adds new data to this area of nematomorph biology.

Pitfall trapping bias and arthropod body mass

Abstract. 1. Pitfall trapping is one of the most widely used arthropod sampling techniques. However, relative species abundance in pitfall trap catches differs from that found using quadrat samples. This difference, here termed bias, reflects the fact that pitfall trap catch is influenced not only by abundance but also by other factors, including activity, which may be linked to body size. Here, we investigate whether the bias affecting pitfall trap catches of a particular species is related to the typical body mass of individuals of that species.2. Data were extracted from five studies where pitfall trapping bias was quantified and covered 32 species of spiders and carabid beetles. Bias was expressed as the ratio of biomass captured by pitfall traps to that measured by quadrat counts (four field studies), or as the product of mean speed of movement and probability of capture per trap encounter, at standard density (one laboratory study).3. Pitfall trapping bias and body mass were strongly related on a log–log scale, with log(body mass) explaining 78% of the variation in log(bias) (P < 0.0001). There was no significant effect of arthropod group (spiders, carabids) or study location (field, laboratory).4. A method is proposed to correct pitfall catches of each of a group of species, based on the typical body mass of an individual of each species. This approach may remove much of the bias in pitfall trap data and so improve the value of this type of data in studies of arthropod communities.

Effects of stream restorations on riparian mesohabitats, vegetation and carabid beetles

We investigated the effects of hydromorphological restoration measures (mainly the removal of bank fixations) on riparian mesohabitats, vegetation and carabid beetles by comparing 24 restored to nearby non-restored floodplain sections in Germany. Mesohabitats were recorded along ten equally-spaced transects, plant communities and riparian plant and carabid beetle species along three transects per section. Based on 18 indices including habitat and species diversity, taxonomic diversity and functional indices we compared the frequency and magnitude of changes following restoration, both for the overall dataset and for each site individually. Riparian habitat diversity doubled in restored sections compared to non-restored sections. The numbers of vegetation units and plant and carabid beetle species richness also doubled in restored sections, whereas changes in Shannon diversity were most pronounced for mesohabitats and riparian plants. Taxonomic diversity of carabid beetles decreased in restored sections reflecting post restoration dominance of riparian Bembidion species. Stress-tolerant pioneers of plant and especially carabid species benefit strongly from the re-establishment of open sand and gravel bars, while hygrophilous species, which also include non-riparian species, did not respond to restoration. We conclude that restoring river hydromorphology has almost generally positive effects on riparian habitats and riparian biodiversity. Riparian biota are thus well-suited indicators for the effects of hydromorphological restoration.

Impact of rubber plantation on carabid beetle communities and species distribution in a changing tropical landscape (southern Yunnan, China)

Carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) have widely been used to assess biodiversity values of different habitats in cultivated landscapes, but rarely in the humid tropics. This study aimed to investigate effects of land use change on the carabid assemblages in a tributary valley of the Mekong River in tropical southern Yunnan, China. The study area includes habitats of traditional land use systems (rice production and shifting cultivation successions) and was dominated by natural forests until about 30 years ago. Since then, large areas of forest have been, and still are, successively transformed into commercial rubber monoculture plantations. In total, 102 species of Carabidae (including Cicindelinae) were recorded from 13 sites over different seasons, using pitfall traps, Malaise traps and aerial collectors in trees. Cluster analysis and indicator species analysis showed that three types of habitat (rice field fallows, early natural successions and natural forest) possess a degree of uniqueness in species composition. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed that the environmental factors explaining 80% of the total variation in carabid assemblage composition are the degree of vegetational openness of a habitat and its plant species diversity. Rice field fallows had significantly higher numbers of species and individuals than any other type of habitat and are probably dominated by species originating from other regions. Carabid assemblages of young rubber plantations (5 and 8 years) were quantitatively similar to those of forests, but without species of significant indicator value. With increasing plantation age (20 and 40 years), the number of carabid species decreased. Increasing age and a further spatial expansion of rubber plantations at the expense of forest areas will have negative impacts on the native forest carabid assemblages with strongest effects on forest specialists and rare species.

Predator feeding choice on conspicuous and non-conspicuous carabid beetles: first results

Insects use various types of behaviour, chemical defences, mimetic, aposematic or cryptic appearances as anti-predatory strategies. Among insects, carabid beetles of the genus Brachinus are distasteful prey because they discharge an irritating “cloud” of quinones when threatened. These beetles live in aggregations and adopt warning (conspicuous pattern) colours and chemicals to create a template that is easily learnt by predators. Another carabid beetle, Anchomenus dorsalis, mimics the colours and cuticular profile of Brachinus and is usually found in Brachinus aggregations. In this paper we report results from laboratory observations on feeding choice of the following natural predators - Crocidura leucodon (Insectivora: Soricidae), Ocypus olens (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) and Podarcis sicula (Reptilia: Lacertidae) - on carabid beetle species. Comparing the number of attacks of predators towards aposematic and non-aposematic prey, there was a statistically significant preference towards non-aposematic prey.

Effects of ecological flooding on the temporal and spatial dynamics of carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) and springtails (Collembola) in a polder habitat

Within the scope of the Integrated Rhine Program an ecological flood gate and channel was inserted into the polder “Ingelheim” to enhance animal and plant diversity. In 2008, carabid beetles and springtails were collected, using pitfall traps, to measure the effects of ecological flooding and a strong precipitation event at a flood-disturbed and a dry location in this area. At both localities, xerophilic and mesophilic carabid beetle species were dominant throughout the study period. The total number of individuals of hygrophilic species was comparatively constant, while species number increased, partly due to the changed moisture conditions caused by ecological flooding and strong precipitation. Carabid beetle diversity and evenness decreased marginally when ecological flooding was absent. Springtails represent a less mobile arthropod order, and as such the impact of ecological flooding was stronger. An increase in both numbers of species and individuals of hygrophilic and hygrotolerant species occurred in the flood-disturbed location after ecological flooding. After the sites at both locations had dried, the number of individuals belonging to these species declined rapidly. In contrast to carabid species, the strong precipitation event showed no influence on hygrophilic springtail species. Thus, collembolan diversity and evenness decreased markedly in the absence of flooding. We showed that ecological flooding has an influence on the spatial and temporal dynamics of different arthropod groups that inhabit the polder “Ingelheim”. These findings demonstrate the importance of using different arthropod groups as bioindicators in determining the ecological value of a particular polder design.

Influence of pest control pressure on occurrence of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in apple orchards

Bioindicators that reflect the level of chemical control have not been developed for use in apple orchards in Japan. In Japan, many carabid beetles and spiders are beneficial predators of a wide range of agricultural pest insects. In apple orchards, spider numbers are reflective of the level of control pressure, but there is no information on carabid beetles. To establish whether carabid beetles could indeed be useful bioindicators, the number of carabid beetles and spiders in six apple orchards (A–F) under different levels of control pressure was investigated in Akita prefecture, northern Japan, in 2008 and 2009. The negative impact on beneficial arthropods was assumed to decrease in the order of pyrethroids (A) > organophosphates (B) > neonicotinoids (C) > insect growth regulators (D) > fungicides only (E) > no spraying (F). Sprays were applied at 2-week intervals from mid-May to early August. Twenty species of carabid beetles were found in orchard F; about 50% of adults were Anisodactylus punctatipennis, and 30–40% were Amara chalcites. The number of Am. chalcites significantly decreased with increasing control pressure: (A–C) < (E, F) in 2008, (A–E) < F in 2009, and (A, B) < E in 2009. Most spiders collected were juvenile Tetragnathidae and Araneidae. The numbers of spiders and Am. chalcites adults were significantly highly correlated at each control pressure in both years. Thus, it was considered that only Am. chalcites adults can be used as bioindicators reflecting the control pressure in apple orchards in northern Japan, whereas the main diet of this species is probably C3 plants.

A new species of Pseudomaseus (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichini) from Greece

A new species of carabid beetles, Pterostichus hejkali sp. n. is described from Northwest Greece (type locality: Epirus District, Ioannina Prefecture, Ioannina Lake environs). Diagnostic characters include distinctive shape of the median lobe of aedeagus, of right paramere and of sexual modification on last visible sternum in males as well as shape of pronotum and size of body. Members of the new species are most similar to P. minor. A key to the identification of the Balkan taxa of Pseudomaseus is presented.

On the Provenance of Boheman's “Eugenies Resa” Carabidae (Coleoptera) Allegedly Described from Hawaii

ABSTRACT Five carabid beetle species described from the Hawaiian Islands, Polynesia—Calleida gracilis Gemminger and de Harold, 1868 (= Calleida amoenula Boheman, 1858), Calleida sanguinicollis Dejean, 1831 (= Calleida insularis Boheman, 1858), Lebia insularis Boheman, 1858, Selenophorus insularis Boheman, 1858, and Selenophorus picinus Boheman, 1858—are shown to be properly attributed to the American biogeographic region, with their type localities corrected to either Central America or Pacific South America. Two of the five names are newly synonymized: L. insularis Boheman = L. analis Dejean, 1825 (new synonymy), and S. insularis Boheman = S. chalcosomus Reiche, 1843 (new synonymy). Calleida gracilis is shown to be a member taxon of the janthina species-group of South America, most similar to Calleida tibialis Brulle, 1837. However, taxonomic uncertainty surrounding C. gracilis, C. tibialis, and an undescribed taxon precludes definitive species circumscription in this group, and C. gracilis is retained a...