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Kurzumtriebsplantagen (KUP) sind landwirtschaftliche Dauerkulturen mit schnellwachsenden Gehölzen, die in kurzen Zyklen von zwei bis max. 20 Jahren geerntet werden, um deren Dendromasse energetisch oder stofflich zu nutzen. Durch die Substitution fossiler Energieträger, ihre extensive Nutzung im Vergleich zu Bioenergiekulturen der ersten Generation und die mehrjährige Bodenbedeckung können KUP einen positiven Beitrag zum Klima-, Boden- und Gewässerschutz leisten. Daneben belegen Untersuchungen zur Biodiversität besonders bei Brutvögeln und Gefäßpflanzen eine deutliche Erhöhung der Artenvielfalt (bei einer deutlichen Veränderung der Lebensgemeinschaften) im Vergleich zur konventionellen ackerbaulichen Nutzung mit einjährigen Kulturen. Aufgrund dieser vorteilhaften Effekte wurde in Deutschland eine Diskussion um die Anerkennung von KUP als produktionsintegrierte Kompensationsmaßnahme (PIK) und eine Förderung als Agrarumwelt- und Klimaschutzmaßnahme (AUKM) entfacht. Eine Anerkennung und Förderung ist jedoch – analog zu produktionsintegrierten Maßnahmen im Ackerbau oder auf Grünland – nur möglich, wenn bei der Anlage und Bewirtschaftung von KUP Maßnahmen mit dem Ziel einer naturschutzfachlichen Aufwertung der Kulturen umgesetzt werden, die über die obligatorisch zu erbringenden Mindestanforderungen der guten fachlichen Praxis (gfP) bzw. der Cross Compliance-Regelungen hinausgehen. Solche Maßnahmen umfassen neben dem Verzicht auf Dünge- und Pflanzenschutzmittel den Anbau verschiedener Gehölzarten (Gehölzartenmosaik), ein abschnittsweises Vorgehen bei der Ernte (Um-triebsstadienmosaik) und die Integration offener Begleitstrukturen wie Lichtungen, um die Strukturvielfalt der Plantagen und damit vor allem ihr Potenzial als Lebensraum für Tiere und Pflanzen zu erhöhen. Zwar können KUP, auf denen diese Maßnahmen umgesetzt werden, in den Bundesländern Bayern und Thüringen als PIK anerkannt werden. Eine tatsächliche Umsetzung hat hier bisher jedoch nicht stattgefunden. In ander

Understanding the mechanisms contributing to positive relationships between predator diversity and natural pest control is fundamental to inform more effective management practices to support sustainable crop production. Predator body size can provide important insights to better understand and predict such predator-pest interactions. Yet, most studies exploring the link between predator body size and pest control have been conducted in species-poor communities under controlled environmental conditions, limiting our ability to generalize this relationship across heterogeneous landscapes. Using the community of naturally occurring ground beetles in cabbage fields, we examined how landscape composition (percent cropland) influences the size structure (mean, variance, and skewness of body size distribution) of predator communities and the subsequent effects on pest control. We found that predator communities shifted their size distribution toward larger body sizes in agriculturally dominated landscapes. This pattern arose from increasing numerical dominance of a few large-bodied species rather than an aggregated response across the community. Such landscape-driven changes in community size structure led to concomitant impacts on pest control, as the mean body size of predators was positively related to predation rates. Notably, the magnitude of pest control depended not only on the size of the dominant predators but was also strongly determined by the relative proportion of small vs. large-bodied species (i.e., skewness). Predation rates were higher in predator assemblages with even representation of small and large-bodied species relative to communities dominated by either large or small-bodied predators. Landscape composition may therefore modulate the relationship between predator body size and pest control by influencing the body size distribution of co-occurring species. Our study highlights the need to consider agricultural practices that not only boost effective

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical compositions of their secretion were analysed in the adults of three selected ground beetle taxa. Secretions of pygidial glands of Cychrus (Cychrus) semigranosus, Patrobus atrorufus and Pterostichus (Platysma) niger were chemically tested. Additionally, pygidial glands of the latter two species were investigated using bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy and morphological features of the glands were described in detail. Both C. (C.) semigranosus and P. atrorufus were studied for the first time in terms of chemical ecology, while the latter species was analysed for the first time in terms of pygidial gland morphology. Altogether, eight compounds were detected in the dichloromethane extracts of the pygidial gland secretions of the three ground beetle taxa analysed. The simplest secretion mixtures were present in C. (C.) semigranosus and P. atrorufus (with two compounds each), while the extract of P. (P.) niger contained five compounds. The presence of 1-tetradecanol in the secretion of P. (P.) niger represents the first finding of this compound from the pygidial gland secretion extracts of ground beetles.

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical compositions of their secretion were analysed in the adults of three selected ground beetle taxa. Secretions of pygidial glands of Cychrus (Cychrus) semigranosus, Patrobus atrorufus and Pterostichus (Platysma) niger were chemically tested. Additionally, pygidial glands of the latter two species were investigated using bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy and morphological features of the glands were described in detail. Both C. (C.) semigranosus and P. atrorufus were studied for the first time in terms of chemical ecology, while the latter species was analysed for the first time in terms of pygidial gland morphology. Altogether, eight compounds were detected in the dichloromethane extracts of the pygidial gland secretions of the three ground beetle taxa analysed. The simplest secretion mixtures were present in C. (C.) semigranosus and P. atrorufus (with two compounds each), while the extract of P. (P.) niger contained five compounds. The presence of 1-tetradecanol in the secretion of P. (P.) niger represents the first finding of this compound from the pygidial gland secretion extracts of ground beetles.

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical compositions of their secretion were analysed in the adults of three selected ground beetle taxa. Secretions of pygidial glands of Cychrus (Cychrus) semigranosus, Patrobus atrorufus and Pterostichus (Platysma) niger were chemically tested. Additionally, pygidial glands of the latter two species were investigated using bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy and morphological features of the glands were described in detail. Both C. (C.) semigranosus and P. atrorufus were studied for the first time in terms of chemical ecology, while the latter species was analysed for the first time in terms of pygidial gland morphology. Altogether, eight compounds were detected in the dichloromethane extracts of the pygidial gland secretions of the three ground beetle taxa analysed. The simplest secretion mixtures were present in C. (C.) semigranosus and P. atrorufus (with two compounds each), while the extract of P. (P.) niger contained five compounds. The presence of 1-tetradecanol in the secretion of P. (P.) niger represents the first finding of this compound from the pygidial gland secretion extracts of ground beetles.

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical composition of their secretions in adults of four ground beetle representatives of the Pterostichini tribe (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were analysed. Molops (Stenochoromus) montenegrinus, Pterostichus (Cophosus) cylindricus, P. (Feronidius) melas and P. (Pseudomaseus) nigrita were chemically tested, while the latter three species were morphologically investigated. Pterostichus (C.) cylindricus, P. (P.) nigrita and M. (S.) montenegrinus were chemically studied for the first time. Altogether, 23 chemical compounds were isolated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), of which some are new for Pterostichini or even Carabidae. Methacrylic acid was present in all species analysed. It was predominant in the secretion extract of P. (C.) cylindricus and P. (F.) melas. Isobutyric and 2-methylbutyric acids were the major components in the secretion of M. (S.) montenegrinus. Undecane, methacrylic and tiglic acids were the main components in the secretion of P. (P.) nigrita. The simplest chemical mixture was found in P. (C.) cylindricus (two compounds), while the most complex one was detected in P. (P.) nigrita (15 compounds). No significant differences in the chemical composition of the pygidial gland secretions were evidenced in P. (C.) cylindricus sampled from the same area and in the same season in two different years. Morphology of the pygidial glands of the studied species was analysed for the first time. Morphological features of the pygidial glands were observed using bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy and described in details.

It is a commonly known fact that all ground beetles possess abdominal pygidial glands with relatively similar gross structure and function among species. Still, morphology of the glands and composition of their secretions have not been studied in most ground beetle species. These exocrine glands and their products are mainly associated with defence in natural environments. In this paper, we studied three predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus Linnaeus, 1758, namely C. (Archicarabus) montivagus Palliardi, 1825, C. (Megodontus) caelatus Fabricius, 1801, and C. (M.) violaceus Linnaeus, 1758, to identify chemical components of their pygidial gland secretions. Altogether, 10 carboxylic acids were isolated from the analysed secretions [two from the secretion of C. (A.) montivagus, 10 from that of C. (M.) caelatus, and nine from that of C. (M.) violaceus]. The finding of 2-hexenoic acid in the secretion of C. (M.) caelatus is the first finding of it within the entire subfamily Carabinae. In addition, we also analysed the morphology of glands of the species C. (M.) violaceus.

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical composition of their secretions in adults of four ground beetle representatives of the Pterostichini tribe (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were analysed. Molops (Stenochoromus) montenegrinus, Pterostichus (Cophosus) cylindricus, P. (Feronidius) melas and P. (Pseudomaseus) nigrita were chemically tested, while the latter three species were morphologically investigated. Pterostichus (C.) cylindricus, P. (P.) nigrita and M. (S.) montenegrinus were chemically studied for the first time. Altogether, 23 chemical compounds were isolated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), of which some are new for Pterostichini or even Carabidae. Methacrylic acid was present in all species analysed. It was predominant in the secretion extract of P. (C.) cylindricus and P. (F.) melas. Isobutyric and 2-methylbutyric acids were the major components in the secretion of M. (S.) montenegrinus. Undecane, methacrylic and tiglic acids were the main components in the secretion of P. (P.) nigrita. The simplest chemical mixture was found in P. (C.) cylindricus (two compounds), while the most complex one was detected in P. (P.) nigrita (15 compounds). No significant differences in the chemical composition of the pygidial gland secretions were evidenced in P. (C.) cylindricus sampled from the same area and in the same season in two different years. Morphology of the pygidial glands of the studied species was analysed for the first time. Morphological features of the pygidial glands were observed using bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy and described in details.

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical composition of their secretions in adults of four ground beetle representatives of the Pterostichini tribe (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were analysed. Molops (Stenochoromus) montenegrinus, Pterostichus (Cophosus) cylindricus, P. (Feronidius) melas and P. (Pseudomaseus) nigrita were chemically tested, while the latter three species were morphologically investigated. Pterostichus (C.) cylindricus, P. (P.) nigrita and M. (S.) montenegrinus were chemically studied for the first time. Altogether, 23 chemical compounds were isolated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), of which some are new for Pterostichini or even Carabidae. Methacrylic acid was present in all species analysed. It was predominant in the secretion extract of P. (C.) cylindricus and P. (F.) melas. Isobutyric and 2-methylbutyric acids were the major components in the secretion of M. (S.) montenegrinus. Undecane, methacrylic and tiglic acids were the main components in the secretion of P. (P.) nigrita. The simplest chemical mixture was found in P. (C.) cylindricus (two compounds), while the most complex one was detected in P. (P.) nigrita (15 compounds). No significant differences in the chemical composition of the pygidial gland secretions were evidenced in P. (C.) cylindricus sampled from the same area and in the same season in two different years. Morphology of the pygidial glands of the studied species was analysed for the first time. Morphological features of the pygidial glands were observed using bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy and described in details.

It is a commonly known fact that all ground beetles possess abdominal pygidial glands with relatively similar gross structure and function among species. Still, morphology of the glands and composition of their secretions have not been studied in most ground beetle species. These exocrine glands and their products are mainly associated with defence in natural environments. In this paper, we studied three predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus Linnaeus, 1758, namely C. (Archicarabus) montivagus Palliardi, 1825, C. (Megodontus) caelatus Fabricius, 1801, and C. (M.) violaceus Linnaeus, 1758, to identify chemical components of their pygidial gland secretions. Altogether, 10 carboxylic acids were isolated from the analysed secretions [two from the secretion of C. (A.) montivagus, 10 from that of C. (M.) caelatus, and nine from that of C. (M.) violaceus]. The finding of 2-hexenoic acid in the secretion of C. (M.) caelatus is the first finding of it within the entire subfamily Carabinae. In addition, we also analysed the morphology of glands of the species C. (M.) violaceus.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

Orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an invasive, economically important pest in spring wheat in the Canadian Prairies. In the Peace River region of Alberta, little is known about this pest and its natural enemies. Impacts of crop type and canopy structure on assemblages of carabid beetles and, in turn, their impact on wheat midge populations were assessed in a field plot trial. Few effects of canopy structure and crop type influenced carabid assemblages, though high plant densities in wheat resulted in lower carabid activity density and species richness in 2017. A survey was conducted where wheat midge larvae were collected throughout the region and reared to assess wheat midge parasitoid distribution and diversity. All parasitoids recovered were identified as Macroglenes penetrans, with the exception of a single individual in the genus Inostemma. Future research should investigate impacts of specific carabid species on wheat midge populations in this region.

The functional trait approach proposes that relating traits of organisms within a community to variation in abiotic and biotic characteristics of their environment will provide insight on the mechanisms of community assembly. As traits at a given trophic level might act as filters for the selection of traits at another trophic level, we hypothesized that traits of consumers and of their resources covary in space. We evaluated complementary predictions about top‐down (negative) and bottom‐up (positive) trait covariation in a detrital food web. Additionally, we tested whether positive trait covariation was better explained by the Resource Concentration Hypothesis (i.e., most commonly represented trait values attract abundant consumers) or the Resource Specialization Hypothesis (i.e., resource diversity increases niche availability for the consumers). Macroarthopods were collected with pitfall traps over two summers in three forested sites of southern Quebec in 110 plots that varied in tree species composition. Six feeding traits of consumers (detritivores and predators) and six palatability traits of their resources (leaf litter and prey) were matched to assess spatial covariation. Trait matches included consumer biting force/resource toughness, detritivore mandibular gape/leaf thickness, predator/prey body size ratio, etc. Our results demonstrate for the first time a covariation between feeding traits of detritivores and palatability traits of leaf litter (31–34%), and between feeding traits of litter‐dwelling predators and palatability traits of potential prey (38–44%). The observed positive covariation supports both the Resource Concentration Hypothesis and Resource Specialization Hypothesis. Spatial covariation of consumer and resource traits provides a new tool to partially predict the structure of the detrital food web. Nonetheless, top‐down regulation remains difficult to confirm. Further research on top‐down processes will be undoubtedly necessary to refine ou

Ground beetle assemblages were compared in two oilseed rape fields with different management practices, in fallow and in succeeding winter wheat crop. A total of 11,615 specimens representing 52 species were collected over two years of sampling using epigeic pitfall and funnel traps. The ten most common species, represented 91% of the total number of specimens in oilseed rape, were Amara aenea (De Geer, 1774), Amara similata (Gyllenhal, 1810), Harpalus distinguendus (Duftschmid, 1812), Brachinus explodens Duftschmid, 1812, Poecilus cupreus (L., 1758), Calathus fuscipes (Goeze, 1777), Calathus ambiguus (Paykull, 1790), Poecilus punctulatus (Schaller, 1783), Poecilus sericeus Fischer von Waldheim, 1824 and Anchomenus dorsalis (Pontoppidan, 1763). Eight carabid species showed a clear preference for integrated oilseed rape management practice. Trapped beetles were three times more numerous in oilseed rape in integrated than in the field under organic management practice. Canonical Variate Analysis revealed that management practices applied on both fields in oilseed rape had a significant effect on carabid assemblages. Redundancy Analyses (RDA) showed that in the following year, in succeeding winter wheat crop, management practices applied in oilseed rape had a significant effect on carabid assemblages. Ground beetle activity on plants was registered in both oilseed rape management systems, but not on winter wheat plants. The most active carabids in crop canopy included A. similata, C. fuscipes, Calathus erratus (Sahlberg, 1827), A. aenea, C. ambiguus, Calathus melanocephalus (L., 1758) and H. distinguendus. In oilseed rape both management practices had a significant effect on carabid assemblages in crop canopy.

Body size affects both intraspecific and interspecific competition. Land-use affects such interactions within assemblages of species and should, therefore, also change the size structure of these assemblages. In particular one expects a decrease of mean body size with disturbances. We compared interspecific size structure of carabid assemblages between agricultural fields (frequent disturbances) and forests in Zambia using pitfall traps operated across 1 year. Mean body length across species co-occurring within sites in agricultural fields was significantly smaller than in natural forests. Furthermore, in both habitats, we found evidence for ecological clustering in respect to body size, although in forests, body size differences between adjacent-sized species tended to be overdispersed. We also found a positive relationship between log10-transformed body length and log10-transformed activity abundance in forests, suggesting competitive asymmetries between large and small species. Overall, these observations suggest that the size structure of carabid assemblages depends on disturbances as well as competitive interactions. Such interactions seem to be, however, of lower importance within agricultural fields.

BackgroundAdditions to the list of Carabidae known for Nevada, USA and carabid beetles found in the Great Basin National Park, NV are reported with notes on ecology and identification resources.New informationFor 79 species of carabids, we present 57 new state records, two state records previously reported in online resources, one confirmation of a previous questionable record for the state, and report 22 records for the Great Basin National Park that includes three new state records.

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus, namely C. (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands' secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical for Carabus pygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview of Carabus taxa is given in the paper.

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus, namely C. (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands' secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical for Carabus pygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview of Carabus taxa is given in the paper.

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) will monitor ground beetle populations across a network of broadly distributed sites because beetles are prevalent in food webs, are sensitive to abiotic factors, and have an established role as indicator species of habitat and climatic shifts. We describe the design of ground beetle population sampling in the context of NEON's long-term, continentalscale monitoring program, emphasizing the sampling design, priorities, and collection methods. Freely available NEON ground beetle data and associated field and laboratory samples will increase scientific understanding of how biological communities are responding to land-use and climate change.

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus, namely C. (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands' secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical for Carabus pygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview of Carabus taxa is given in the paper.

The effects of insecticides that are commonly used for conventional and integrated oilseed rape (OSR) management on ground beetles were studied. Monitoring of harmful species showed that only insecticides intended against Ceutorhynchus napi should be applied. There were no differences in beetle numbers and phenology of settling of C. napi in the OSR fields that received different management practices. The type of OSR management has a primary and significant impact on ground beetles abundance. Early in the spring, ground beetles settled more massively on the non-tilled OSR field with abundant weed cover and mulch on soil surface. However, there were no significant differences in species richness between the OSR fields managed differently. A total of 22 species were recorded. Early in the spring, the granivorous ground beetles Amara aenea (47.3%) and Harpalus distinguendus (32.5%) were dominant. When insecticides were applied, immigration of ground beetles began, so that their adverse effect was minimal. In both management systems the number of ground beetles and their diversity increased after spraying. In conclusion, no significant harmful effects of the insecticides on ground beetles were detected in OSR fields managed in two different ways., Ispitivan je efekat insekticida u konvencionalnoj i integralnoj proizvodnji i zaštiti uljane repice. Monitoring štetnih vrsta je pokazao da se insekticidi moraju primeniti samo u suzbijanju Ceutorhynchus napi. Brojnost imaga i fenologija naseljavanja C. napi se nije razlikovala na različitim poljima uljane repice. Pokazalo se da način gajenja uljane repice ima primarni uticaj na brojnost karabida jer su se one u značajno različitom broju naselile na različito gajenim poljima uljane repice. Rano u proleće, karabide su u najvećem broju naselile neorano polje pokriveno korovima i malčom od slame. Međutim, nije bilo značajnih razlika u bogatstvu vrsta koje su naselile ova dva polja uljane repice. Ukupno je registrovano 22 vrste karabida. U rano proleće dominantne su granivorne vrste Amara aenea (47.3%) i Harpalus distinguendus (32.5%). U vreme kada su primenjeni insekticidi, počinjala je imigracija karabida tako da je njihova brojnost bila mala a stoga je i štetni efekat insekticida bio minimalan. Posle prskanja je došlo do porasta broja karabida i njihovog diverziteta na oba polja sa različitim načinom gajenja. Na osnovu toga se može zaključiti da nema značajnog štetnog delovanja insekticida na karabide kada se suzbija C. napi u poljima uljane repice u konvencionalnoj i integralnoj proizvodnji.

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus, namely C. (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands' secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical for Carabus pygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview of Carabus taxa is given in the paper.

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus, namely C. (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands' secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical for Carabus pygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview of Carabus taxa is given in the paper.

The antimicrobial properties of the pygidial gland secretions released by the adults of the three ground beetle species, Carabus ullrichii, C. coriaceus, and Abax parallelepipedus, have been tested. Microdilution method was applied for detection of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs). Additionally, morpho-histology of the pygidial glands is investigated. We have tested 16 laboratory and clinical strains of human pathogens-eight bacterial both gram-positive and gram-negative species and eight fungal species. The pygidial secretion samples of C. ullrichii have showed the strongest antimicrobial effect against all strains of treated bacteria and fungi. Staphylococcus aureus, Lysteria monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium proved to be the most sensitive bacterial strains. Penicillium funiculosum proved to be the most sensitive micromycete, while P. ochrochloron and P. verrucosum var. cyclopium the most resistant micromycetes. The pygidial secretion of C. coriaceus has showed antibacterial potential solely against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, and P. ochrochloron. Antibacterial properties of pygidial gland secretion of A. parallelepipedus were achieved against P. aeruginosa, while antifungal activity was detected against five of the eight tested micromycetes (A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, Trichoderma viride, and P. verrucosum var. cyclopium). Commercial antibiotics Streptomycin and Ampicillin and mycotics Ketoconazole and Bifonazole, applied as the positive controls, showed higher antibacterial/antifungal properties for all bacterial and fungal strains. The results of this observation might have a significant impact on the environmental aspects and possible medical purpose in the future.

The antimicrobial properties of the pygidial gland secretions released by the adults of the three ground beetle species, Carabus ullrichii, C. coriaceus, and Abax parallelepipedus, have been tested. Microdilution method was applied for detection of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs). Additionally, morpho-histology of the pygidial glands is investigated. We have tested 16 laboratory and clinical strains of human pathogens-eight bacterial both gram-positive and gram-negative species and eight fungal species. The pygidial secretion samples of C. ullrichii have showed the strongest antimicrobial effect against all strains of treated bacteria and fungi. Staphylococcus aureus, Lysteria monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium proved to be the most sensitive bacterial strains. Penicillium funiculosum proved to be the most sensitive micromycete, while P. ochrochloron and P. verrucosum var. cyclopium the most resistant micromycetes. The pygidial secretion of C. coriaceus has showed antibacterial potential solely against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, and P. ochrochloron. Antibacterial properties of pygidial gland secretion of A. parallelepipedus were achieved against P. aeruginosa, while antifungal activity was detected against five of the eight tested micromycetes (A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, Trichoderma viride, and P. verrucosum var. cyclopium). Commercial antibiotics Streptomycin and Ampicillin and mycotics Ketoconazole and Bifonazole, applied as the positive controls, showed higher antibacterial/antifungal properties for all bacterial and fungal strains. The results of this observation might have a significant impact on the environmental aspects and possible medical purpose in the future.

The antimicrobial properties of the pygidial gland secretions released by the adults of the three ground beetle species, Carabus ullrichii, C. coriaceus, and Abax parallelepipedus, have been tested. Microdilution method was applied for detection of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs). Additionally, morpho-histology of the pygidial glands is investigated. We have tested 16 laboratory and clinical strains of human pathogens-eight bacterial both gram-positive and gram-negative species and eight fungal species. The pygidial secretion samples of C. ullrichii have showed the strongest antimicrobial effect against all strains of treated bacteria and fungi. Staphylococcus aureus, Lysteria monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium proved to be the most sensitive bacterial strains. Penicillium funiculosum proved to be the most sensitive micromycete, while P. ochrochloron and P. verrucosum var. cyclopium the most resistant micromycetes. The pygidial secretion of C. coriaceus has showed antibacterial potential solely against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, and P. ochrochloron. Antibacterial properties of pygidial gland secretion of A. parallelepipedus were achieved against P. aeruginosa, while antifungal activity was detected against five of the eight tested micromycetes (A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, Trichoderma viride, and P. verrucosum var. cyclopium). Commercial antibiotics Streptomycin and Ampicillin and mycotics Ketoconazole and Bifonazole, applied as the positive controls, showed higher antibacterial/antifungal properties for all bacterial and fungal strains. The results of this observation might have a significant impact on the environmental aspects and possible medical purpose in the future.

A supplement to the “Carabidae (Insecta: Coleoptera): catalogue” published by Larochelle and Larivière (2001; Fauna of New Zealand 43), is provided. A total of 99 genera and 547 species and subspecies belonging to 21 tribes and 8 subfamilies of Carabidae (including Cicindelini and Rhysodini), is recorded for New Zealand. Endemism is high, with 93% of the species and subspecies as well as 62% of the genera recorded from this country only. Changes to the 2001 catalogue are documented. The synonymy and type locality of taxa described between 2001 and 2015 are also provided.

Taxonomic changes are made for several problematic Australian Carabidae in the tribes Harpalini, Abacetini, Pterostichini, and Oodini. Examination of types resulted in the synonymy of Veradia Castelnau, 1867 with Leconomerus Chaudoir, 1850; Nelidus Chaudoir, 1878, Feronista Moore, 1965, and Australomasoreus Baehr, 2007 with Cerabilia Castelnau, 1867; and newly combining Fouquetius variabilis Straneo, 1960 in the genus Pediomorphus Chaudoir, 1878; Australomasoreus monteithi Baehr, 2007 in the genus Cerabilia Castelnau, 1867; and Anatrichis lilliputana W.J. Macleay, 1888 in the genus Nanodiodes Bousquet, 1996. Cuneipectus Sloane, 1907 is placed in Pterostichini Bonelli, 1810, which is a senior synonym of Cuneipectini Sloane, 1907.

Three adult cave-dwelling ground beetle species were induced to discharge secretions of their pygidial glands into vials. Dichloromethane extraction was used to obtain the secretions. In total, 42 compounds were identified by GC/MS analysis. Pheggomisetes ninae contained 32 glandular compounds, Laemostenus (Pristonychus) punctatus 13, whereas Duvalius (Paraduvalius) milutini had nine compounds. Caproic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids were present in the samples of all analyzed species. Undecane was predominant in the extract of L. punctatus. Palmitic acid was the major component in the secretion of D. milutini. Finally, the most abundant compounds in P. ninae secretion were heptacosene and nonacosadienes. Herein, we present the first data on the identification of pygidial gland secretion components in both troglophilous and troglobite cave-dwelling ground beetles. Some compounds are reported for the first time in the secretions of ground beetles and other higher or lower taxa. The adaptation to underground life has not led to a reduction or changes in the chemical defense mechanism in the analyzed troglophilous and troglobitic Platyninae and Trechinae taxa.

1. Restoration of river hydromorphology often has limited detected effects on river biota. One frequently discussed reason is that the restored river length is insufficient to allow populations to develop and give the room for geomorphologic processes to occur. 2. We investigated ten pairs of restored river sections of which one was a large project involving a long, intensively restored river section and one represented a smaller restoration effort. The restoration effect was quantified by comparing each restored river section to an upstream non-restored section. We sampled the following response variables: habitat composition in the river and its floodplain, three aquatic organism groups (aquatic macrophytes, benthic invertebrates and fish), two floodplain-inhabiting organism groups (floodplain vegetation, ground beetles), as well as food web composition and land–water interactions reflected by stable isotopes. 3. For each response variable, we compared the difference in dissimilarity of the restored and nearby non-restored section between the larger and the smaller restoration projects. In a second step, we regrouped the pairs and compared restored sections with large changes in substrate composition to those with small changes. 4. When comparing all restored to all non-restored sections, ground beetles were most strongly responding to restoration, followed by fish, floodplain vegetation, benthic invertebrates and aquatic macrophytes. Aquatic habitats and stable isotope signatures responded less strongly. 5. When grouping the restored sections by project size, there was no difference in the response to restoration between the projects targeting long and short river sections with regard to any of the measured response variables except nitrogen isotopic composition. In contrast, when grouping the restored sections by substrate composition, the responses of fish, benthic invertebrates, aquatic macrophytes, floodplain vegetation and nitrogen isotopic composition were

Three adult cave-dwelling ground beetle species were induced to discharge secretions of their pygidial glands into vials. Dichloromethane extraction was used to obtain the secretions. In total, 42 compounds were identified by GC/MS analysis. Pheggomisetes ninae contained 32 glandular compounds, Laemostenus (Pristonychus) punctatus 13, whereas Duvalius (Paraduvalius) milutini had nine compounds. Caproic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids were present in the samples of all analyzed species. Undecane was predominant in the extract of L. punctatus. Palmitic acid was the major component in the secretion of D. milutini. Finally, the most abundant compounds in P. ninae secretion were heptacosene and nonacosadienes. Herein, we present the first data on the identification of pygidial gland secretion components in both troglophilous and troglobite cave-dwelling ground beetles. Some compounds are reported for the first time in the secretions of ground beetles and other higher or lower taxa. The adaptation to underground life has not led to a reduction or changes in the chemical defense mechanism in the analyzed troglophilous and troglobitic Platyninae and Trechinae taxa.

Der durch die Intensivierung der Landwirtschaft bedingte Verlust der Biodiversität gefährdet langfristig die Flexibilität und Produktivität von Agrarökosystemen. Eine Möglichkeit, diesen Folgen zu begegnen, ist die Förderung standorttypischer Artenausstattungen in Nutzökosystemen. Der Erhalt besonders wertvoller und die Anlage neuer Kleinstrukturen kann einen Beitrag zur Einhaltung solcher Anforderungen leisten. Bisher fehlen jedoch weitgehend Erkenntnisse darüber, welche Eigenschaften dieser Lebensräume in welcher Ausprägung von besonderer Bedeutung für bestimmte Organismengruppen sind. Da die Ansprüche vieler Arten regional variieren, gilt es, Lebensräume zu typisieren, um übertragbare Ergebnisse zu erhalten. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Möglichkeit, den tierökologischen Wert von Feldhecken anhand der Familie der Laufkäfer (Carabidae) zu ermitteln. Am Beispiel der Hecken der südlich von Stuttgart gelegenen Filderebene werden mittels multivariater Verfahren verallgemeinerbare Heckentypen festgelegt, denen regionalspezifische Indikatorarten zugeordnet werden. Weiterhin werden die Komponenten der Laufkäferbio¬diversität von Hecken auf unterschiedlichen räumlichen Ebenen untersucht und ein Ansatz zur Schätzung der funktionalen Diversität erprobt. Es wird gezeigt, daß sich über einen Gradienten der Faktoren Flächengröße und Alter Heckentypen abgrenzen lassen. Jeder dieser Typen weist spezifische Differentialarten auf, die über die Berechnung von Arten-Assoziationen und eine Indikatoranalyse ermittelt wurden. Während reine Arten- und Individuenzahlen keine eindeutige Abhängigkeit von der Heckengröße aufweisen, besteht insbesondere für Waldcarabiden eine positive Korrelation mit der Flächenausdehnung der Hecken. Außerdem zeigen Artenakkumulationskurven, daß wenige große Hecken mehr Laufkäferarten beherbergen als viele kleine. Weiterhin wird nachgewiesen, daß neben den Faktoren Größe und Alter auch der Deckungsgrad der krautigen Vegetation und die Zonierung der H, The drastic decline of species caused by intensification of farming in the long run reduces the flexibility and productivity of our agroecosystems. One possibility to counter this negative development is the preservation of typical local species compositions in anthropogenic cultivated ecosystems. The conservation of valuable, or the creation of new habitat patches is a way to maintain these requirements. So far, there is too little knowledge yet, which habitat traits are most important for a given group of organisms. As the habitat requirements of many species vary on a regional level, it is necessary to categorize biotopes into types as a precondition for the application of those types on a broader scale. In this study, the zoo-ecological value of hedgerows is categorized by using ground beetles (Carabidae). Using the ?Filderebene? south of Stuttgart as an example, multivariate methods were used to distinguish general types of hedgerows to which regional bioindicators are assigned. Furthermore, the components of ground beetle diversity in hedges are investigated on different spatial scales and a method to estimate functional diversity is tested. It has been demonstrated that hedgerow types can be distinguished by a gradient of ground area size and age. Each of these types contain specific species, suitable for differentiation, established by calculation of species-associatons and indicator-analyses. While richness in species and individuals alone shows no clear dependency, especially forest carabids were positively correlated with hedgerow size. Besides, species-accumulation-curves show that few large hedges contain more species than small ones. Furthermore, it could be proven, that the carabid beetle associations are not only affected by the factors size and age, but also by the coverage of herbaceous vegetation and zonation of the hedgerows. The biodiversity components show a dependency on hedgerow size, too. While alpha-diversity per hedge increases significant

Экологические аспекты обитания животных на загрязненных радионуклидами территориях являются актуальной проблемой для энтомологов, так как произошло изменение характера антропогенной нагрузки на биоценозы данных территорий, что отражается и в формировании структуры фаунистических комплексов. Нами проведено изучение видового состава и динамической активности жужелиц на территории деревни Бартоломеевка Ветковского района Гомель-ской области, выведенной из хозяйственного оборота в результате аварии на Чернобыльской АЭС. Для выполнения работы были выбраны четыре биотопа, отличающиеся по физиологической структуре, а также с разным характером смены фитоценозов, на которых и сделан анализ по основным экологическим показателям структуры герпетобионтов. В статье показано, что формирование комплексов жужелиц на территориях, выведенных из хозяйственного оборота в результате аварии на Чернобыльской АЭС, определяется совокупностью факторов среды в конкретном местообитании и ходом динамических процессов, обеспечивающих сукцессионные изменения. =Abstract environmental aspects of the habitats of animals in the contaminated areas are a pressing issue for entomologists, as transformation of the character of anthropogenic burden on the vegetation communities of these territories took place, which reflected in the formation of the structure of faunistic complexes. We have studied the species composition and dynamic activity of carabid beetles on the territory of the village of Bartolomeevka of Vetkovski district, Gomel region, which was withdrawn from the production as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. To carry out the work were selected four different biotopes which differed in physiological structure, as well as with the different nature of the change of marshes. Analysis of key environmental indicators of the structure of gerpetobionts was made. In the article we point out that the formation of complexes of carabid beetles, in the territories withdrawn fr

В статье приведены результаты исследований, в которых было выявлено 6 видов триб. = The results of studies that have been identified 6 types of tribes.

Habitat fragmentation has been generally regarded detrimental to the persistence of many species, especially those with limited dispersal abilities. Yet, when exactly habitat elements become functionally disconnected very much depends on the dispersal ability of a species in combination with the landscape's composition in which it occurs. Surprisingly, for many small and ground-walking generalists knowledge at what spatial scale and to what extent landscape structure affects dispersal is very scarce. Because it is flightless, the bush cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera may be regarded susceptible to fragmentation. We applied habitat occupancy surveys, population genetic analyses and movement modelling to investigate the performance of P. griseoaptera in an agricultural mosaic landscape with suitable habitat patches of varying size and isolation. Despite its presumed dispersal limitation we could show that P. griseoaptera occupied the majority of suitable habitats, including small and isolated patches, showed a very low and non-significant genetic differentiation (F (ST) = 0.0072) and, in the model, managed to colonize around 73% of all suitable habitat patches within one generation under weak and strong landscape-effect scenarios. We conclude that P. griseoaptera possesses the behavioural attributes (frequent inter-patch dispersal) necessary to persist in this landscape characterized by a patchy distribution of habitat elements. Yet, sound recommendations to landscape planning and conservation require more research to determine whether this represents a general behaviour of the species or a behavioural adaptation to this particular landscape.

Article, We studied the responses of ground beetles to experimental disturbance of vegetation in an abandoned coppice forest in Saitama prefecture, central Japan, during 2004–2006. Experimental manipulations included tree cutting, clearing of ground vegetation, and litter removal, which we quantified by analyzing environmental variables. In parallel, ground beetles were sampled using pitfall traps. Overall, we analyzed 27 species of Carabidae and a single species of Silphidae (Eusilpha japonica). E. japonica dominated the ground beetle community and responded to vegetation disturbance in a way different from carabids. Carabids were most strongly affected by tree cutting but were insensitive to litter removal, whereas E. japonica was especially sensitive to litter removal. Our results show that E. japonica has high potential as a bioindicator since it is abundant, easily collectable, and selectively sensitive to litter accumulation, which is an indicator of abandonment of secondary forests. Both E. japonica and carabids were highly sensitive to vegetation disturbances, but responded to different types of vegetation manipulations. Such complementarity suggests that E. japonica and certain carabid species may be useful bioindicators if incorporated in a single integral monitoring system. However, further studies on the ecology on ground beetles will be needed to design effective monitoring protocols based on the differential sensitivity of ground beetle species to various kinds of vegetation disturbance.

Specific ecological features of ground beetles inhabiting city parks and suburban areas were studied in the large industrial city of Nizhnii Tagil (Sverdlovsk oblast). Carabid cenoses of city parks retained considerable species diversity but proved to be strongly dominated by a limited number of species. An analysis of their state before and after recreational impact revealed changes in the species composition of communities, the set of dominant species, the degrees of their dominance, and the ratio between classes of life forms. The results show that the stronger the recreational impact, the more significant the decrease in the species diversity of the carabid community. © 2008 MAIK Nauka.

Increased vegetational diversity influences the behaviour of carabid beetles by changing plant-related abiotic factors. These abiotic factors (light, humidity and habitat structure) affect the selection of oviposition sites and egg survival of carabid beetles. In a field experiment, more larvae of Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) (Coleoptera Carabidae) were caught in Brussels sprout intercropped with barley than in Brussels sprout alone. The influence of the presence of living barley and Brussels sprout plants on oviposition was studied in the laboratory. Also, the effects of wet/dry substrate, light/shadowed and structured/unstructured environment on the number of eggs laid were investigated under laboratory conditions. Results indicate a preference for moist, shadowed, structurally complex environments as egg laying sites. This preference results in significantly higher numbers of eggs laid by beetles in barley compared to Brussels sprout. Vegetation characteristics by themselves may influence egg-laying-site preferences, in addition to the availability of prey for adults and larvae in the different cropping systems. Vegetables intercropped with cereals provide a more favourable microclimate for the reproduction of P. melanarius than vegetables grown alone

One of the major concerns regarding the release of Bt maize is its potential negative impact on non-target organisms present in this crop. In this paper, we compare the temporal phenology and community structure of the aboveground arthropods in commercial Bt maize fields in Central Spain with those of conventional maize crops, with or without an insecticide (imidacloprid) seed treatment, over a period of three years. Spiders, harvestmen, centipedes, ground beetles, rove beetles, carrion beetles, click beetles, earwigs and damsel bugs were captured in pitfall traps every year in sufficient number to provide meaningful phenological data. One predator spider and three omnivorous species of ground beetles have been consistently present in the maize fields: Pardosa occidentalis, Poecilus cupreus, Pseudophonus rufipes and Pseudophonus griseus, respectively. Rove beetles were caught to a lesser extent, with three dominant species: Acrotona aterrima, Philonthus varians and Platystethus nitens. The variability in activity–density patterns of the aboveground fauna was mainly influenced by the year, but no detrimental effects could be attributed to Bt maize. The only exception being the changes detected in rove beetles, although these differences were transitory and varied from year to year. No changes in species richness and diversity indices for spiders and ground beetles resulted from treatments. However, imidacloprid-treated maize caused a reduction in species richness of rove beetles, even though the abundance of the main species was not reduced. Our results suggest that Bt maize could be compatible with natural enemies that are common in maize fields in Spain

Augmenting generalist predator populations in new apple (Malus domestica Bork) plantings could potentially aid in the establishment of balanced orchard ecosystems that are less susceptible to pest outbreaks. Habitat can be an important factor in retaining predators in a system and can affect predator efficiency. We investigated the potential of increasing a complex of generalist ground-dwelling predators and enhancing biological control in a young 'Golden Delicious' apple orchard through ground habitat manipulation. We modified the orchard floor with four comparative habitat treatments: (1) detritus-rich compost mulch layer, (2) detritus-free synthetic mulch layer, (3) herbicide-treated vegetation thatch, and (4) bare soil with vegetation hand-removed. Relative abundances of predators and alternative prey in the habitats were measured with pitfall trapping throughout the growing season. Predation was measured using sentinel Cydia pomonella larvae and directly observed in night experiments. Throughout the season, the compost mulch treatment consistently supported significantly greater densities of alternative prey resources for predators, and generalist predators were more abundant in the compost mulch than the other habitats. Predator complex abundance was positively correlated with increasing alternative prey availability in the compost mulch habitat. However, predation of C. pomonella was significantly lower in the compost mulch than in the herbicide-treated thatch habitat. Our study revealed that a prey-rich organic mulch can enhance ground-foraging generalist predators on the orchard floor, but habitat structure may be more important than alternative prey for predation of C. pomonella.

The Carabidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) is one of the largest insect families in New Zealand with an estimated 600 species, 90% of which are endemic. Carabids have received a considerable amount of attention in the Northern Hemisphere, but next to nothing is known about the biology of carabids in New Zealand. The aim of my research was to increase our knowledge about the ecology, population dynamics, and life history of carabids in New Zealand native forests. The morphology and biology of two species of endemic carabids, Mecodema oconnori Broun and Megadromus capito (White) was studied in detail. Mecodema oconnori was strongly sexually dimorphic, whereas M. capito males and females were very similar in size and weight. During the course of the study, I discovered several very small M. oconnori males with red legs, and these may belong to a separate species. The habitat use and movement of M. oconnori and M. capito in a native forest remnant was investigated using several different sampling techniques, including manual searches, live capture pitfall trapping, and harmonic radar tracking. Manual searches of carabid resting sites proved to be the most effective method for locating these beetles, as both species displayed a high degree of site fidelity, and were repeatedly found under the same sites. Harmonic radar tracking was not very successful, largely because I was unable to identify beetles when they were in underground burrows. The population dynamics and seasonality of several species of carabids were investigated in order to understand more about their life cycles. Manual searches of resting sites were used to estimate the seasonal abundance of M. oconnori and M. capito throughout the year, and removal pitfall trapping was also carried out for six months. The searches revealed that both M. oconnori and M. capito were present in all months of the year, in contrast to the results from previous pitfall trapping studies. Females of five species of carabids were dissect