Seasonal quantity dynamics of ground beetles on spring wheat under different fertilization systems

Goal. Determine the dominant species of ground beetles in crops of spring wheat with different fertilization systems and study the seasonal dynamics of the number of ground beetles. Methods. The research was conducted in 2017—2019 years on the experimental field of NSC «Institute of Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine» in department of plant protection from pests and diseases. Accounting of carabids fauna in accordance with the generally accepted methodology, mainly using Barber soil traps. The ecological characteristics are given using literature data. Results. Specified species composition of the dominant species of carabids in spring wheat crops under different fertilization systems. Represented the seasonal quantity dynamics of mass species of carabids (Bembidion properans S., Harpalus affinis S., Harpalus rufipes D., Poecilus cupreus L., Harpalus distinguendus D.) with mineral (N90P60K90) and organic (with plowing of by-products of the predecessor) fertilizer systems. Population peaks on spring wheat reached maximums in May due to an increase in the activity of species of the spring-summer group of ground beetles (Bembidion properans S., Harpalus distinguendus D., Poecilus cupreus L.), in June — July — due to the summer-autumn group (Harpalus rufipes D. and Harpalus affinis S). Conclusions. The peak activity of carabids in different areas is due to the peculiarities of the biology of each species during the growing season of spring wheat and weather conditions. Of the dominant, the most widespread species with mineral fertilizers was Bembidion properans S., with organic — Harpalus affinis S. There is a difference in the trophic specialization of beetles. In the areas with mineral fertilizer, the number of zoophages and myxophytophages was almost at the same level — 33.4 and 36.6 %, respectively. Organic fertilizer was dominated by myxophytophagous carabids (44%) with a mixed type of diet due to the largest number of species and the number of the genus Harpalus, the percentage of zoophagous was 14.5 %.

Seasonal dynamics of dominant species of soil predators (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Staphylinidae) in agrolandscapes and their potential gluttony

We studied the seasonal change in the number of dominant species of predatory beetles on vegetable crops and determined their potential gluttony. A total of 1,472 beetles were collected, belonging to 22 species of ground beetles (Carabidae) and 27 species of rove beetles (Staphylinidae). The dominant species are: Harpalus rufipes (De Geer, 1774) (17.6% dominance), Amara fulva (De Geer) (13.28%), Bembidion properans (Stephens, 1828) (10.39%), Trechus quadristriatus (Schrank, 1781) (6.20%), Calathus melanocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) (5.39%), Poecilus cupreus Linnaeus, 1758 (5.3%), Bembidion femoratum Sturm, 1825 (5.10%), Aleochara bilineata, (Gyllenhaal, 1810) (17.6%), Aloconota gregagia (Erichson, 1839) (10.21%), Amischa analis (Gravenhorst, 1802) (6.01%), Amischa bifoveotata (Mannerheim, 1830) (5.41%). During the season, there is a change in dominant species. At the beginning of the season, smaller species dominate, while larger species dominate in the second half of the plant vegetation. The maximum number of predators are observed in June and August. The periods of the maximum abundance of ground beetles and rove beetles do not coincide in time, which is the evolutionary adaptation of two groups of predators that coexist. In laboratory experiments, when pest eggs were offered as food, Aleochara bilineata and Bembidion femoratum were the most voracious. Larger predator species showed high voracity when larvae of flies were offered as food.

Biotope Impact on Fluctuating Asymmetry Manifestation in Ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

In our study we used the data set on morphimetric traits in beetles species. It has been constantly replenishing for 20 years by the samples, received from different regions of Russia and abroad. In this case we have selected data on nine species for which the left and right sides had been measured and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) could be estimated. The samples were from 6 provinces of Russia and Belarus, which ranged in 3 degrees in latitude and 57 degrees in longitude and included more than 150 plots in different types of biotopes. FA was assessed according to the standard method in 5265 specimen in one dimensional trait and one - meristic. ANOVA showed that biotope, species and their interaction affected FA in both traits, that is different species reacted differently to biotope type. In uncommon biotopes (according to accepted in carabidology classification) FA was increased. In forest species the negative relationship between FA in dimensional and meristic traits in the range in biotopes was revealed. In those species only FA values were higher in males than in females. In generalist species FA varieв similarly in both sexes and in both traits being the highest in open biotopes. In eudomonant of arable lands biotopes – Poecilus cupreus – the highest values of FA were recorded in the meadows, being about equal in all types of crops.

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION OF GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) IN AGRICULTURA LANDSCAPES OF SOUTH-EAST KAZAKHSTAN

Ground beetles (Carabidae) are one of the largest families of coleopteran insects; most of their larvae inhabit the soil or soil surface; some of them live in moist forests, under tree bark, and on dry trees. Based on the need for moisture, beetles are divided into two groups: hygrophiles and mesophiles. Hygrophiles are found in water reservoirs, on river banks, or in very wet soils (Nebria, Elaphrini, Dyschirius, Bembidion, Chlaenius, some Pterostichus). Mesophiles live in mountainous areas (oftenly Carabus, Amara, Harpalus, Pterostichus, etc.). Most beetles are polytrophic predators. A large number of polytrophic predators define their practical importance. Herbivorous and omnivorous beetles are pests of economic significance. For all beetles, the most important abiotic factor is soil moisture. The overwhelming majority of species are inclined to live in relatively low-temperature biotopes. Such needs are especially typical for non-specialized polytrophic predators. The proportion of meso-xerophilic species among herbivores is much higher, since these species, like other herbivores, can compensate for the lack of moisture in the body by absorbing plant juices. The studies were aimed at researching the species composition of ground beetles in agricultural cenoses of the Almaty, Talgar, Ili, Zhambyl, Karasai, and Enbekshikazakh regions. Field studies were carried out in 2019-2020 from early May to late September. The research was conducted using methods generally accepted in entomology. The study also used an ecological type of soil trap to minimize damage to the beneficial entomological fauna of the study area – insectivores. Also, Barrier soil traps were used to capture the beetles. 10 traps were installed at a distance of 5 meters in the research area of the field: soil traps were installed from late May to mid-October. Beetles were collected from the trap every 7–10 days. Based on the results of the research, lists of pests and insectivores of agricultural landscapes of South-East Kazakhstan (soybeans, alfalfa, barley, wheat, corn, etc.) were compiled. According to the results of the study, 29 species belonging to 18 genera of ground beetles (Carabidae) in the agricultural landscapes of South-East Kazakhstan were identified. Of these, Harpalus (5 species, 17%), Poecilus(3 species, 11%) were predominant in species composition, and only 1-2 species were known to be from the remaining 16 genera. The article shows the habitats of these beetles in the agricultural cenoses of South-East Kazakhstan, their trophic relationship and impact on the agrocenosis, and their practical significance. The species discovered in the course of the study were divided into 3 groups based on their diet: herbivores (feed on plants), omnivores (feed on both vegetation and animal food) and insectivores (feed on insects). Herbivores: Acupalpus elegans Dejean, 1829, Zabrus morio Ménétriés, 1832, Zabrus tenebrioides Goeze, 1777. Omnivores: Amara aenea (DeGeer, 1774), Amara similata Gyllenhal, 1810, Calathus halensis (Schaller, 1783), Harpalus smaragdinus (Duftschmied, 1812), Harpalus affinis Schrank, 1781, Harpalus anxius Duftscmid, 1812, Harpalus distinguendus (Duftschmid, 1812), Harpalus rufipes (De Geer, 1774), Poecilus sericeus sericeus Fischer von Waldheim, 1824, Poecilus versicolor (Sturm, 1824), Poecilus cupreus (Linnaeus, 1758). Insectivores: Anchomenus dorsalis (Pontoppidan, 1763), Brachinus crepitans Linnaeus, 1758, Brachinus ejaculans Fischer-Waldheim, 1828, Carabus cicatricosus Fischer von Waldheim, 1842, Carabus nemoralis Müller, 1764, Calosoma auropunctatum (Herbst, 1784), Calosoma denticolle Gebler, 1833, Chlaenius spoliatus Rossi, 1790, Cymindis picta Pallas, 1771, Elaphrus cupreus Duftschmid, 1812, Elaphrus riparius (Linnaeus, 1758), Microlestes minutulus Goeze, 1777, Lebia cruxminor Linnaeus, 1758, Loricera pilicornis (Fabricius, 1775), Notiophilus aquaticus Linnaeus, 1758, Pterostichus niger (Schaller, 1783). Herbivores had 3 species (8%), omnivores had 11 species (48%), and insectivores – 16 species (44%).

Walking behaviour in the ground beetle, Poecilus cupreus: dispersal potential, intermittency and individual variation

Dispersal is a key ecological process affecting community dynamics and the maintenance of populations. There is increasing awareness of the need to understand individual dispersal potential to better inform population-level dispersal, allowing more accurate models of the spread of invasive and beneficial insects, aiding crop and pest management strategies. Here, fine-scale movements of Poecilus cupreus, an important agricultural carabid predator, were recorded using a locomotion compensator and key movement characteristics were quantified. Net displacement increased more rapidly than predicted by a simple correlated random walk model with near ballistic behaviour observed. Individuals displayed a latent ability to head on a constant bearing for protracted time periods, despite no clear evidence of a population level global orientation bias. Intermittent bouts of movement and non-movement were observed, with both the frequency and duration of bouts of movement varying at the inter- and intra-individual level. Variation in movement behaviour was observed at both the inter- and intra- individual level. Analysis suggests that individuals have the potential to rapidly disperse over a wider area than predicted by simple movement models parametrised at the population level. This highlights the importance of considering the role of individual variation when analysing movement and attempting to predict dispersal distances.

Slug Monitoring and Impacts on the Ground Beetle Community in the Frame of Sustainable Pest Control in Conventional and Conservation Agroecosystems

In conservation agriculture, slugs are considered significant pests and their monitoring is a key option in the integrated pest management framework. Together with molluscicide applications, predators such as ground beetles can offer a tool for slug control in the field. Through the evaluation of slug and ground beetle monitoring strategies, this work compared their presence in conventional and conservation agricultural plots. The invasive Deroceras invadens was the dominant slug species to occur in all sampling periods. Among Carabidae, Poecilus cupreus and Pterostichus melas were the most abundant species, and Bembidion spp., Brachinus spp., and Harpalus spp. were also common. Beer-baited pitfall traps, whatever their alcoholic content, caught more slugs and ground beetles than wooden boards used as shelters. Slugs were more abundant in conventional plots than in conservation plots, possibly due to the lower presence of natural enemies such as ground beetles. Despite possible impacts on Carabidae, beer-baited pitfall traps should be considered a useful tool for slug monitoring and for the planning of molluscicide applications. Soil management such as minimum- or no-tillage and the presence of cover crops are important elements influencing both slug and ground beetle presence, possibly playing a key role in the maintenance of natural enemy populations.

Ground beetles (Carabidae) of field margin habitats

The aim of this study was to identify the role of field margin habitats in preserving the diversity and abundance of ground beetle assemblages, including potentially entomophagous species and those with conservation status in Poland. Research material was collected in 2006–2007 in four types of margin habitats – a forest, bushes, ditches and in two arable fields. Insects were captured into pitfalls, without preservation liquid or bait added to the traps. Traps were inspected twice a week, between May and August, and one sample was a weekly capture. In field margin habitats the most abundant species were Limodromus assimilis, Anchomenus dorsalis, Pterostichus melanarius and Carabus auratus. A lower abundance of species was noted on fields, with dominant Poecilus cupreus and P. melanarius. The group of zoophagous carabids found in our study includes 30 species from field margin habitats, i.e. 37.5% of all captured Carabidae taxa and 58.3% of all specimens. The share of aphidophagous species was 84.9% among bushes, 86.7% near ditches, and 88.0% in the forest habitat. Several species captured during the study are under protection in Poland. These include the partly protected Carabus convexus, which also has the status of near threatened species, the partly protected Calosoma auropunctatum, and Broscus cephalotes. Considering all the investigated field margin habitats, ground beetles were most numerous in the oak-hornbeam habitat, defined as bushes, formed predominantly by Prunus spinosa, Crataegus leavigata, Sambucus nigra and Rosa canina. Thus, this habitat was the most important reservoir/refugium for the ground beetles.

Soil Arthropods in Differently Used Agroecosystems Along an Ecological Gradient in Slovakia

Arthropods are part of important functional groups in soil and little is known about their composition in differently used agroecosystems across larger spatial scales. We analysed the qualitative and quantitative structure of soil arthropods with emphasis on ground beetles in different agroecosystems in relation to the various factors (soil physical properties) that Slovakia as a highly diversified country offers. Research was conducted in 4 different soil types (Arenosol, Cambisol, Fluvisol, Leptosol) at 6 study sites located in three different ecological zones with two different land use types (arable land – AL and permanent grasslands – PG). Ten orders of soil arthropods were identified, of which the most abundant was the order Coleoptera, specifically the Poecilus cupreus species in the Carabidae family. The analysis of variance confirmed significant effect of land use type on arthropod number and ecological gradient on arthropod biomass and soil temperature. The number and biomass of arthropods was nearly twice as high in PG plots compared to AL plots with the exception of two study sites located in sub-mountain and mountain regions with the dominance and proximity of extensive forest and grassland ecosystems. From the ecological gradient point of view, the highest arthropod biomass was recorded in the mountain ecological zone.

Some patterns in distribution of the ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) at the agrocenoses of Ukraine

According to the habitat layers, ground beetles of agrocenoses of Ukraine were divided on three groups: preferential inhabitants of the soil (geobios), inhabitants of the surface of the soil and plant litter (stratobios) and preferential inhabitants of the plants (phytobios). Ground beetles of geobios were represented with about 20 species, from which only five species were relatively numerous. About 370 species were registered in stratobios (about 90 are dominants or subdominants). The inhabitants of the plant layer encompassed about 10 species, but most of them were rare in agrocenoses. Most spring zoophagous species of Carabidae (mainly species of the genus Poecilus) are characterized by a low level of aggregation (Ka = 0.25–0.35). A higher degree of aggregation was recorded for small species of ground beetles (Bembidion, Microlestes) and some mixophagous (Amara similata, A. aenea, Harpalus distinguendus). At summer, the higher level of aggregation was registered (Ka = 0.35–0.46), especially for summer-autumn group of ground beetles (Calathus ambiguus, C. melanocephalus, Harpalus rufipes) and some multi-seasonal species (Pterostichus melanarius). An essential factor affecting the distribution of ground beetles on the field is the density of the plants. On the plots with rare vegetation the accumulation of thermophilous and mesoxerophilous species (Poecilus crenuliger, P. koyi, P. puncticollis) was observed (significant correlation). Higher number of mesophilous and mesohygrophilous Carabidae (Bembidion properans, Poecilus cupreus, P. punctulatus) are registered on the plots with dense vegetation, especially during reproduction period. An increase in the number and diversity of the Carabidae are observed in relatively small fields (up to 50–60 ha), bordered by forest belts or natural biotops. In large fields (more than 100 ha) surrounded by similar crops, the abundance of dominant species of Carabidae was significantly decreased.

Urbanization effect on ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

We sampled beetles in different regions of Russia (Tatarstan Republic, Mariy El Republic, Udmurtia Republic, Kemerovo, Sverdlovsk, Stavropol, Cis-Ural provinces) at sites which varied in the level of anthropogenic impact and vegetation. We used linear models to clarify how urbanization affected body size variation in studied species. All of them were palearctic generalists – Carabus granulatus, Carabus cancellatus, Pterostichus melanarius, Pterostichus niger, Poecilus cupreus, and only Carabus aeruginosus was a Siberian one. Beetles we measured for six dimensional traits. In a whole 12000 specimen have been analyzed. Results showed that different traits of Ground Beetles can response to urbanization in opposite directions: e.g. in some studies species factor “city” decreased elytra length, but increased its width and vise versa. Effect of “city” and “suburbs” factors had different directions, e. g. in a given species body size decreased in cities but in suburbs it increased and verse versa. Cognate species, which occupy similar ecological niches, have responded to urbanization in opposite directions. Females and males can respond to urbanization in opposite directions, the latter lead to the significant body size sexual dimorphism in the gradient of urbanization.