Habitat Associations of Macro-Staphylinids (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) at Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Station, Hancock County, Illinois

Habitat associations of size-selected (≥ 5 mm length) rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), hereafter referred to as “macro-staphylinids,” were studied in west-central Illinois forest and prairie habitats in 2005 using pitfall traps. Habitats sampled included oak-hickory forest last burned in spring 2004, oak-hickory forest burned in spring 2005, oak-hickory forest unburned for 5+ years, unburned early successional forest, reconstructed prairie last burned in spring 2004, and reconstructed prairie burned in spring 2005. A total of 361 macrostaphylinids, representing 12 species, were collected, with Philonthus caerulipennis (Mannerheim), Platydracus maculosus (Gravenhorst), Platydracus fossator Gravenhorst, Platydracus zonatus (Gravenhorst), and Tachinus fimbriatus Gravenhorst comprising 94% of all macro-staphylinids collected. Fewest numbers of macro-staphylinids were collected in prairie habitats, particularly the prairie burned in spring 2005. A multi-response permutation procedure revealed significant variation in species composition among habitats, with relatively large differences between burned and unburned forest habitats and between forest and prairie habitats. Within-habitat variation in species composition was relatively high in the prairie and recently burned forest habitats. Indicator species analysis revealed a significant association of Philonthus asper Horn with the early successional forest, and four species had relatively high indicator values for multiple forest habitats, with fire playing a potentially important role in some cases. More intensive sampling and larger sample sizes are needed to clarify these potential habitat associations

Variation in Diel Activity of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Associated With a Soybean Field and Coal Mine Remnant

Diel activities of carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae) associated with a coal mine remnant and surrounding soybean field were studied in west-central Illinois from June through October 2002. A total of 1,402 carabids, representing 29 species and 17 genera, were collected using pitfall traps. Poecilus chalcites (Say) demonstrated roughly equal diurnal and nocturnal activity in June, but greater diurnal activity thereafter. Pterostichus permundus (Say), Cyclotrachelus seximpressus (LeConte), Amara obesa (Say), and Scarites quadriceps Chaudoir showed significant nocturnal activity. Associations between habitat and diel activity were found for three species: P. chalcites associated with the remnant and edge habitats showed greater diurnal activity than those associated with the soybean field; C. seximpressus was most active diurnally in the remnant, and Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer) showed the greatest nocturnal activity in the remnant and edge habitats. We found significant temporal and habitat-related variation in diel activity among carabid species inhabiting agricultural areas in west-central Illinois

Effects of Pitfall Trap Preservative on Collections of Carabid Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Effects of six pitfall trap preservatives (5% acetic acid solution, distilled water, 70% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol solution, 50% propylene glycol solution, and 10% saline solution) on collections of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were studied in a west-central Illinois deciduous forest from May to October 2005. A total of 819 carabids, representing 33 species and 19 genera, were collected. Saline produced significantly fewer captures than did acetic acid, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, while distilled water produced significantly fewer captures than did acetic acid. Significant associations between numbers of captures and treatment were seen in four species: Amphasia interstitialis (Say), Calathus opaculus LeConte, Chlaenius nemoralis Say, and Cyclotrachelus sodalis (LeConte). Results of this study suggest that type of preservative used can have substantial effects on abundance and species composition of carabids collected in pitfall traps

Variation in Diel Activity of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Associated With a Soybean Field and Coal Mine Remnant

Diel activities of carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae) associated with a coal mine remnant and surrounding soybean field were studied in west-central Illinois from June through October 2002. A total of 1,402 carabids, representing 29 species and 17 genera, were collected using pitfall traps. Poecilus chalcites (Say) demonstrated roughly equal diurnal and nocturnal activity in June, but greater diurnal activity thereafter. Pterostichus permundus (Say), Cyclotrachelus seximpressus (LeConte), Amara obesa (Say), and Scarites quadriceps Chaudoir showed significant nocturnal activity. Associations between habitat and diel activity were found for three species: P. chalcites associated with the remnant and edge habitats showed greater diurnal activity than those associated with the soybean field; C. seximpressus was most active diurnally in the remnant, and Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer) showed the greatest nocturnal activity in the remnant and edge habitats. We found significant temporal and habitat-related variation in diel activity among carabid species inhabiting agricultural areas in west-central Illinois

Habitat Associations of Macro-Staphylinids (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) at Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Station, Hancock County, Illinois

Habitat associations of size-selected (≥ 5 mm length) rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), hereafter referred to as “macro-staphylinids,” were studied in west-central Illinois forest and prairie habitats in 2005 using pitfall traps. Habitats sampled included oak-hickory forest last burned in spring 2004, oak-hickory forest burned in spring 2005, oak-hickory forest unburned for 5+ years, unburned early successional forest, reconstructed prairie last burned in spring 2004, and reconstructed prairie burned in spring 2005. A total of 361 macrostaphylinids, representing 12 species, were collected, with Philonthus caerulipennis (Mannerheim), Platydracus maculosus (Gravenhorst), Platydracus fossator Gravenhorst, Platydracus zonatus (Gravenhorst), and Tachinus fimbriatus Gravenhorst comprising 94% of all macro-staphylinids collected. Fewest numbers of macro-staphylinids were collected in prairie habitats, particularly the prairie burned in spring 2005. A multi-response permutation procedure revealed significant variation in species composition among habitats, with relatively large differences between burned and unburned forest habitats and between forest and prairie habitats. Within-habitat variation in species composition was relatively high in the prairie and recently burned forest habitats. Indicator species analysis revealed a significant association of Philonthus asper Horn with the early successional forest, and four species had relatively high indicator values for multiple forest habitats, with fire playing a potentially important role in some cases. More intensive sampling and larger sample sizes are needed to clarify these potential habitat associations

Effects of Pitfall Trap Preservative on Collections of Carabid Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Effects of six pitfall trap preservatives (5% acetic acid solution, distilled water, 70% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol solution, 50% propylene glycol solution, and 10% saline solution) on collections of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were studied in a west-central Illinois deciduous forest from May to October 2005. A total of 819 carabids, representing 33 species and 19 genera, were collected. Saline produced significantly fewer captures than did acetic acid, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, while distilled water produced significantly fewer captures than did acetic acid. Significant associations between numbers of captures and treatment were seen in four species: Amphasia interstitialis (Say), Calathus opaculus LeConte, Chlaenius nemoralis Say, and Cyclotrachelus sodalis (LeConte). Results of this study suggest that type of preservative used can have substantial effects on abundance and species composition of carabids collected in pitfall traps

Comparison of Orchid Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Species Composition Collected with Four Chemical Attractants

Orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) are a diverse and important group of Neotropical pollinators. Numerous chemicals have been used in sampling orchid bees, and species-specific attraction, particularly of males, to these chemicals is well known. However, there have been few studies that have quantified differences in the species composition of orchid bees attracted to particular chemicals. In this study, we compared the abundance and species composition of orchid bees collected with 4 commonly used attractants: benzyl acetate, eucalyptol (or cineole), eugenol, and methyl salicylate. Eucalyptol collected the greatest abundance and species richness of orchid bees. Indicator species analysis revealed that 3 species, Euglossa imperialis Cockerell, Euglossa obtusa Dressler, and Eufriesea mexicana (Mocsáry), were significantly associated with eucalyptol, and 1, Eulaema marcii Nemésio, with benzyl acetate. The multi-response permutation procedure revealed relatively large differences in species composition of orchid bees collected with eucalyptol vs. benzyl acetate and eucalyptol vs. eugenol. Our results showed that eucalyptol and benzyl acetate were the most effective and complimentary attractants, but even less effective attractants such as eugenol may attract novel species

A review of the ecological value of Cusuco National Park an urgent call forconservation action in a highly threatened Mesoamerican cloud forest

Cloud forests are amongst the most biologically unique, yet threatened, ecosystems in Mesoamerica. We summarize the ecological value and conservation status of a well-studied cloud forest site: Cusuco National Park (CNP), a 23,440 ha protected area in the Merendón mountains, northwest Honduras. We show CNP to have exceptional biodiversity; of 966 taxa identified to a species-level to date, 362 (37.5%) are Mesoamerican endemics, 67 are red-listed by the IUCN, and at least 49 are micro-endemics known only from the Merendón range. CNP also provides key ecosystem services including provision of drinking water and downstream flood mitigation, as well as carbon sequestration, with an estimated stock of 3.5 million megagrams of carbon in 2000. Despite its ecological importance, CNP faces multiple environmental threats and associated stresses, including deforestation (1,759 ha since 2000 equating to 7% of total forest area), poaching (7% loss of mammal relative abundance per year), amphibian declines due to chytridiomycosis (70% of species threatened or near-threatened), and climate change (a mean 2.6 °C increase in temperature and 112 mm decrease in rainfall by 2100). Despite conservation actions, including community ranger patrols, captive-breeding programmes, and ecotourism initiatives, environmental degradation of CNP continues. Further action is urgently required, including reinforcement and expansion of ranger programmes, greater stakeholder engagement, community education programmes, development of alternative livelihood projects, and legislative enforcement and prosecution. Without a thorough and rapid response to understand and mitigate illegal activities, the extirpation and extinction of species and the loss of vital ecosystem services are inevitable in the coming decades

A Review of Sampling and Monitoring Methods for Beneficial Arthropods in Agroecosystems

Beneficial arthropods provide many important ecosystem services. In agroecosystems, pollination and control of crop pests provide benefits worth billions of dollars annually. Effective sampling and monitoring of these beneficial arthropods is essential for ensuring their short- and long-term viability and effectiveness. There are numerous methods available for sampling beneficial arthropods in a variety of habitats, and these methods can vary in efficiency and effectiveness. In this paper I review active and passive sampling methods for non-Apis bees and arthropod natural enemies of agricultural pests, including methods for sampling flying insects, arthropods on vegetation and in soil and litter environments, and estimation of predation and parasitism rates. Sample sizes, lethal sampling, and the potential usefulness of bycatch are also discussed

Bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) Diversity and Sampling Methodology in a Midwestern USA Deciduous Forest

Forests provide potentially important bee habitat, but little research has been done on forest bee diversity and the relative effectiveness of bee sampling methods in this environment. Bee diversity and sampling methodology were studied in an Illinois, USA upland oak-hickory forest using elevated and ground-level pan traps, malaise traps, and vane traps. 854 bees and 55 bee species were collected. Elevated pan traps collected the greatest number of bees (473), but ground-level pan traps collected greater species diversity (based on Simpson’s diversity index) than did elevated pan traps. Elevated and ground-level pan traps collected the greatest bee species richness, with 43 and 39 species, respectively. An estimated sample size increase of over 18-fold would be required to approach minimum asymptotic richness using ground-level pan traps. Among pan trap colors/elevations, elevated yellow pan traps collected the greatest number of bees (266) but the lowest diversity. Malaise traps were relatively ineffective, collecting only 17 bees. Vane traps collected relatively low species richness (14 species), and Chao1 and abundance coverage estimators suggested that minimum asymptotic species richness was approached for that method. Bee species composition differed significantly between elevated pan traps, ground-level pan traps, and vane traps. Indicator species were significantly associated with each of these trap types, as well as with particular pan trap colors/elevations. These results indicate that Midwestern deciduous forests provide important bee habitat, and that the performance of common bee sampling methods varies substantially in this environment