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The present study is based on a 20-year study of fields that were previously farmed conventionally and then changed to being farmed organically and a 10-year study of a conventionally farmed field in south-eastern and central Schleswig-Holstein, North Germany, respectively. The carabid beetles were sampled throughout each year using pitfall traps. The analysis aimed to study the changes in the phenology in terms of activity-density associated with changing climate. Climate data revealed an increase in temperature during the period of this study, which was not significant during the single study periods, but significant if a longer period of 70 years is considered. In particular, spring temperatures (March/April) increased. Approximately 36% of the species became active earlier. For 25% of the species their earlier start was not significant but nevertheless associated with temperature increase in spring or the number of cold days (< 0°C) and warm days (> 5°C) in March/April. In total, the earlier start of 69% of the species can in some way be associated with a change in climate in spring. Species with a flexible response to temperature were mostly indifferent to the temperature increase. Comparisons of the data over the 30-year period indicate that the process lasted for at least one to three decades. It is likely that the changes in biological processes caused by global climate change will affect the composition of species and competition between them in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground beetle species from marginal areas invade organically farmed fields in a higher abundance and species richness than conventionally farmed fields. Seasonal invasion into organic fields was studied at Ritzerau Manor, converted to organic farming 18 years ago. Carabid species were explored with 123 pitfall traps within the field and in marginal near-natural habitats over the 18 years after conversion. For 56 species, seasonality could be studied in a distance gradient from the field margin to the field center. The results revealed that ground beetles from marginal habitats can use the fields differently depending on their seasonal activity. Early and fast-moving species can reach the center of the field at a 240 m distance from margin; late and slowly moving species only reach the 120 to 60 m distance level. The foraging effect of species, thus, depends on the seasonality and duration of activity. Overall, marginal species make up to 35% of the total foraging of ground beetles. Thus, organic farming not only supports a closer interaction between farmland and the adjacent near-natural landscape, but also benefits from higher biological pest control by immigrating marginal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restingas are sandy areas spread along the Brazilian coast made up of a mosaic of forest and open woodland vegetation adapted to varying conditions of aridity, oligotrophy and salinity. Two vegetation types are very common in southeast Brazilian restingas, open Clusia formations and seasonally dry forest formation. Litter production and nutrient (C and N) turnover were studied comparatively in forest formations and Clusia formations, in vegetation patches with and without Clusia hilariana. The results showed that the breakdown process is extremely retarded in Clusia formations, with or without C. hilariana, leading to C accumulation in the soil. Microbial and soil fauna activity is lower in Clusia formations in comparison to forest formations; patches without Clusia hilariana showed intermediate conditions regarding total matter and carbon loss. Nitrogen loss was lowest in patches without C. hilariana, where soil micro-organisms accumulate N during the decomposition process, such as in the forest. The ratio of lignin in litter and the slow release of N reinforce the importance of the dominant tree Clusia hilariana as a potential key species for organic matter turnover. The accumulation of organic matter under the Clusia formation vegetation may be determinant for the humus richness of some bodies of water in the restinga, demonstrating the importance of this species to the ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent collections of Osoriinae from Cuba revealed three new species, Allotrochus cubensis sp. nov., Thoracophorus cubensis sp. nov., and Antillosorius martini sp. nov. In total, 34 species of Osoriinae are currently known from this island including the three new ones. An identification key to the species and a list of species with all records known to me are provided. According to this study 8 species (21 %) out of the 39 species are endemic for Cuba and 4 (11 %) show a pantropical distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve new species of the genera Mimogonia Coiffait, 1978 and Holotrochus Erichson, 1839 are described from the Neotropical Region: Mimogonia baloghi sp. nov. (Paraguay), M. duckei sp. nov. (Brazil: Amazonas), M. marquesi sp. nov. (Brazil: Mato Grosso), Holotrochus adisi sp. nov. (Brazil: Amazonas), H. agostii sp. nov. (Brazil: Bahia), H. hamatus sp. nov. (Paraguay), H. lobatus sp. nov. (Panama), H. mrazi sp. nov. (Brazil: Minas Gerais), H. paraguensis sp. nov. (Paraguay), H. pseudoleticiae sp. nov. (Peru), P. tortilis sp. nov. (Bolivia, Suriname) and H. yasuniensis sp. nov. (Ecuador). Diagnostic characters of all new species are illustrated and updated identification keys are provided for the Brazilian Mimogonia species and the Holotrochus pubescens group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2009, the staphylind fauna was studied in six habitats of the Baltic Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein (northern Germany). The following habitats lagoon, sandy beach, shingle beach, primary dune, wooded cliff, and woodless cliff were significantly separated by their species composition. Vegetation and soil moisture were the most important factors separating the assemblages. Lagoons exhibited the most species-rich habitat. Sandy beaches provided the highest number of endangered species. Both sandy beaches and woodless cliffs showed the highest number of exclusive species. A loss of species was determined in the gradient from sandy to shingle beaches. Few species preferred shingle beaches; abundance of Cafius xantholoma increased with the increasing amount of shingle. More species preferred the sandy conditions, for example, Polystomota grisea, P. punctatella, and Phytosus spinifer. Anotylus insecatus and Bledius defensus require distinct mixtures of sand and silt on woodless cliffs. Tourist impact on sandy beaches accounts for approximately 50% loss of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genus Mimogonus Fauvel, 1903, M. clavicornis sp. nov. and M. curtus sp. nov., are described from the eastern slope of the Andean range in Ecuador. Three species of Mimogonus Fauvel, 1903 are now known from the Neotropics, including M. fumator (Fauvel, 1889) from the West Indies. Similarities between the two new Mimogonus species and the African species, M. curtipennis Fagel, 1959 and M. fumator (Fauvel, 1889), are discussed. Additionally, three new species of the genus Mimogonia Coiffait, 1978, M. longipes sp. nov., M. amazonica sp. nov. and M. paraensis sp. nov., are described from the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará. Including these new species, a total of 17 Mimogonia species is now known from South America. A key to the species group of Mimogonia characterised by large prominent eyes is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species Thoracophorus venezuelanus and T. silvaticus are described. The ecological information from labels and that produced by more detailed studies in Central Amazonia indicate that tree canopies and tree trunks are main habitats of Thoracophorus species, and that many species might be associated with ants or termites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Two new species of the genus Thoracophorus are described from Costa Rica and Ecuador, T. distinguendus and T. hermanii and the distribution of Thoracophorus species in the two countries presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three new species of the genus Mimogonia , M. elytrata, M. andina , and M. longoelytrata , are described for the Neotropical region. The geographical distribution of the genus Mimogonia is discussed. The species were collected in Peru and French Guiana and types are deposited in the Snow Entomological Collections of the Natural History Museum of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA, and in my own collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of Mimogonus fumator (Fauvel, 1889) in a suburban area in Central Florida marks the first record of this pantropical species in the United States of America. This finding emphasizes the critical significance of insect monitoring in urban environments, as it unveils the potential for detecting non-native and potentially invasive species accidentally transported through soil and ornamental plants. A taxonomic key and distributional checklist for the known species of the subfamily Osoriinae in the Southeastern United States are also provided. These resources aim to enhance our understanding of the regional insect fauna and provide useful tools for future detection.