Diversity and abundance of carabid beetles in short-rotation plantings of sweetgum, maize and switchgrass in Alabama |
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Authors: | K E Ward R N Ward |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Plant and Soil Science, Alabama A&M University, P.O. Box 1208, Normal, AL 35762, USA |
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Abstract: | This study compares assemblages of carabid beetles, potentially important regulators of herbivorous insect pests, in short-rotation
plantings of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) with and without grass cover crops, maize (Zea mays L.) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). A total of 38 species were trapped during the summers of 1996 and 1997. The dominant carabid encountered was Harpalus pensylvanicus Latreille, a widespread omnivorous species; H. pensylvanicus was particularly prevalent in maize plots. Several other commonly encountered species were primarily associated with one
plot type. Overall carabid activity was found to be similar in maize and switchgrass plots and much greater than that in sweetgum
plots of both cover types. This may be related to the presence of more consistently available dense ground cover in these
plots compared to sweetgum plots, a situation favored by most carabids, although both abundance and diversity were similar
in sweetgum plots with and without cover. Diversity, as indicated by species richness and dominance levels, was greater in
switchgrass than in maize or sweetgum plots, which were similar.
This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | ground beetle Harpalus pensylvanicus intensive culture Liquidambar styraciflua pitfall trapping |
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