Pitfall sampling of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Indiana soybean fields

Pitfall-trap sampling was conducted during two growing seasons in soybean (Glycine max) fields located in southern Indiana, to determine the species composition of the adult ground beetle community and to understand their dynamics. We collected 2366 carabids of 34 species in 1985 and 1722 individual...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 1992-07, Vol.65 (3), p.279-291
Main Authors: Wiedenmann, R.N. (Texas AandM University, College Station, TX), Larrain, P.L, O'Neil, R.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agroecosystems
Alfalfa
Arthropods
Beetles
CARABIDAE
Coleoptera
Diversity indices
ENCUESTAS
ENQUETE
Entomology
GLYCINE MAX
HARPALUS
HARPALUS PENNSYLVANICUS
INDIANA
PIEGE
PITFALL TRAPS
Predators
PTEROSTICHUS
PTEROSTICHUS CHALCITES
Rain
scarites subterraneus
Soybeans
Specimens
SURVEYS
TRAMPAS
TRAPS
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Summary:Pitfall-trap sampling was conducted during two growing seasons in soybean (Glycine max) fields located in southern Indiana, to determine the species composition of the adult ground beetle community and to understand their dynamics. We collected 2366 carabids of 34 species in 1985 and 1722 individuals of 39 species in 1986. Twelve species collected in 1985 were not found the following year, and 17 species were collected only in the second year. Pterostichus chalcites made up over 50% of all specimens collected in both years. The second and third most abundant species were Harpalus pensylvanicus and Scarites subterraneus, which alternated in numerical predominance between the two years. Together, these three species accounted for 81% and 73% of all carabids collected in 1985 and 1986, respectively. Pterostichus chalcites dominated the ground beetle community through early August, H. pensylvanicus occurred later in the summer, and S. subterraneus was found primarily in June and September. Estimates of species diversity showed a decline in the middle of the sampling season, corresponding with the predominance of P. chalcites. Patterns of population dynamics for P. chalcites, H. pensylvanicus and S. subterraneus correspond well with other studies of carabids associated with agricultural habitats. Carabids may be able to deter population increases in some crop pests. However, the magnitude of such beneficial effect cannot be quantified, because little is known of the diets and attack rates of these species.
ISSN:0022-8567
1937-2353