engleski

Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) and Pseudoophonus rufipes (DeGeer, 1774) in Corn Fields in Croatia

Ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) have often been used to study the ecological effects of different agricultural measures. The present study was conducted in 2004 and 2005 on 22 corn fields located in the central and east parts of Croatia. The ground beetle fauna was studied during the whole growing season by placing 3 pitfall traps in each of the 9 corn fields in 2004 and the 13 corn fields in 2005. For each field agricultural practices were recorded. Traps were checked twice a week. All ground beetles were identified to species level. Pterostichus melanarius (IIIiger, 1798) and Pseudoophonus rufipes (De Geer, 1774), two common species in crop fields, were analysed to determine species distribution and abundance. In 2004, 3322 Carabidae belonging to 16 different ground beetle species were identified . In 2005, 1061 specimens belonging to 24 species were collected. P. melanarius was found in 7 out of 8 localities in 2004 and in all 13 localities in 2005. The dominance of this species varied from 7.69% to 36% in 2004 and from 5% to 95% in 2005. This species was designated as dominant at 2 localities in 2004 and 2 localities in 2005 while at all other localities it was designated as eudominant. P. rufipes has been found in 7 localities in 2004 and in 12 localities in 2005. The dominance of this species varied from 47% to 73% in 2004 and from 1.56% to 74.45% in 2005. This species was designated as eudominant at all localities in 2004 and in 11 localities in 2005 while at one locality in 2005 it was designated as subdominant. P. melanarius was a constant species in both years with a frequency index of 71.8% in 2004 and 66% in 2005, respectively. P. rufipes was a constant species in 2004 with a frequency index of 71.8% and an accessory species in 2005 with a frequency index of 44%. The impact of climatic conditions (temperatures and rainfall), agricultural practices (previous crop) and field maintenance (insecticide application and use of manure) on individual numbers of collected ground beetles is discussed.

Ground beetles; abundance; distribution; Pterostichus melanarius; Pseudoophonus rufipes; Croatia; corn fields; agricultural practice

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