Foster Forbes Purrington

Invertebrates as bioindicators of soil use

Abstract We face an increasing demand from administrative, technical and environmental authorities for bioindicators. Animals, plants and community patterns, which register quantitative and qualitative environmental changes need to be monitored. This can range from simple chemical and physical sampling to quantifying the patterns of animal and plant communities. These techniques for analysing soil communities were first developed for aquatic systems. Protozoans, earthworms, woodlice, myriapods, Acari, springtails and other groups of invertebrates seem to respond to chemical residues and other environmental stresses in many different ways. Although a rich literature on interactions is available, only limited information exists at the community level and little is known of the food chain level in the soil. Research is needed to find appropriate patterns which could model different situations.

Habitat use patterns by ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of northeastern Iowa

Summary Ground beetle assemblages were monitored in six different habitats (tallgrass prairie, oats, corn, soybean, old-field, woods) at four sites in northeastern Iowa from 1994 to 1998. The objective of this study was to quantify the influence of habitat type on the activity and distribution of ground beetles. Over five years, 13,654 ground beetles representing 107 different species were captured. Of these, 14 species represented 85% of the captured beetles. Based on habitat use, we categorized 24 as generalist species, 14 as agricultural species, 12 as grassland species, 39 as prairie specialists, and 19 as woodland species. Tallgrass prairie hosted a significantly more (P

GROUND BEETLE (COLEOPTERA : CARABIDAE) ACTIVITY DENSITY AND COMMUNITY COMPOSITION IN VEGETATIONALLY DIVERSE CORN AGROECOSYSTEMS

-Influences of weeds on activity density (number captured per trap per day), species richness and diversity of carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in reduced tillage corn (Zea mays L.) plantings were examined in a 2-yr field study. Four treatments were examined: corn monoculture, corn with broadleaved weeds, corn with grassy weeds, and corn with a mixture of broadleaved and grassy weeds. Carabids were sampled with pitfall traps every 34 wk from May to September in 1988 and 1989. Neither broadleafed nor grassy weeds significantly influenced carabid activity density in 1988, a year of severe drought. However, in 1989, a year of normal rainfall, activity density was significantly greater in broadleaved weed treatments. Activity density of each of the major carabid species was affected differently by the treatments. Weedy vegetation in corn plantings generally did not have significant effects on carabid species richness, and community similarity was generally high for all treatments. Weeds had a significant negative effect on corn yields; the possible beneficial effects of such vegetation on enhancement of carabid activity density should be compared to the potential negative effect of corn yield loss. These results suggest carabid species respond differently to vegetational diversity, perhaps due to a number of factors, including suitable prey availability and microclimate preferences.

Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Assemblages in Organic, No-Till, and Chisel-Till Cropping Systems in Maryland

Abstract Ground beetle assemblages were compared in organic, no-till, and chisel-till cropping systems of the USDA Farming Systems Project in Maryland. The cropping systems consisted of 3-yr rotations of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that were planted to corn and soybean during the 2 yr of field sampling (2001–2002). Each year, ground beetles were sampled using pitfall traps during three 9- to 14-d periods corresponding to spring, summer, and fall. A total of 2,313 specimens, representing 31 species, were collected over the 2 yr of sampling. The eight most common species represented 87% of the total specimens collected and included Scarites quadriceps Chaudoir, Elaphropus anceps (LeConte), Bembidion rapidum (LeConte), Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer), Poecilus chalcites (Say), Clivina impressefrons LeConte, Agonum punctiforme (Say), and Amara aenea (DeGeer). Canonical variates analysis based on the 10 most abundant species showed that the carabid assemblages in the three cropping systems were distinguishable from each other. The organic system was found to be more different from the no-till and chisel-till systems than these two systems were from each other. In 2002, ground beetle relative abundance, measured species richness, and species diversity were greater in the organic than in the chisel-till system. Similar trends were found in 2001, but no significant differences were found in these measurements. Relatively few differences were found between the no-till and chisel-till systems. The estimated species richness of ground beetles based on several common estimators did not show differences among the three cropping systems. The potential use of ground beetles as ecological indicators is discussed.

Oil Pipeline Corridor Through an Intact Forest Alters Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Assemblages in Southeastern Ohio

Abstract Litter-dwelling ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages were monitored 1 yr after the construction of a corridor for installation of an oil pipeline along a xeric ridge-top forest in southeastern Ohio. After the creation of the corridor, three distinct habitats were evident in these sites: open corridor, ecotone areas around the corridor, and undisturbed forest interior. Carabidae were collected using directional pitfall traps that were placed parallel and perpendicular to the corridor in each of the three habitats. Results indicate that more carabids were present in the ecotone than in the other two habitats. Carabid diversity as estimated by rarefaction was highest in the corridor followed by ecotone and forest interior. Generalist and forest specialists such as Synuchus impunctatus (Say), Carabus goryi Dejean, and Pterostichus trinarius (Casey) were present in greater numbers in the forest interior and ecotone assemblages. In contrast, open-habitat specialists such as Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer) and Selenophorus opalinus (LeConte) were present in greater numbers in the corridor assemblages. Carabid assemblages of the corridor were distinct from those of the ecotone and forest interior, whereas the latter two habitats had very similar assemblages. The successional pathway of the corridor carabid assemblage will therefore be likely different from that of the forest interior and ecotone. Overall, results indicate that construction of the oil pipeline corridor had significant short-term effects on the carabid numbers, diversity, and species composition because of ensuing habitat changes and fragmentation of the forest.

A quarter of a century succession of epigaeic beetle assemblages in remnant habitats in an urbanized matrix (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Abstract We studied the long-term (23–24 years) species turnover and succession of epigaeic beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae, incl. Cicindelinae) in three remnant habitats [cottonwood (Populus spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.) stands, and old fields] that are embedded within highly urbanized areas in central Minnesota. A total of 9,710 beetle individuals belonging to 98 species were caught in three sampling years: 1980, 1981 and 2005 in pitfall traps in identical locations within each habitat. Results indicate that there were 2–3 times greater trap catches in 2005 than in 1980 (cottonwood and oak stands, and old fields) and 1.4–1.7 times greater species diversity of beetles in 2005 than in the 1980-1981 suggesting increased habitat association by beetles over time. Although there were no significant differences in catches between 2005 and 1981 (only cottonwood stands and old fields), there was a trend where more beetles were caught in 2005. At the species-level, 10 times more of an open-habitat carabid species, Cyclotrachelus sodalis sodalis LeConte, was caught in 2005 than in 1980. However, trap catches of five other abundant carabid species [Pterostichus novus Straneo, Platynus decentis (Say), Platynus mutus (Say), Calathus gregarius (Say), and Poecilus lucublandus lucublandus (Say)] did not change indicating population stability of some beetle species. These remnant habitats were increasingly colonized by exotic carabid species as Carabus granulatus granulatus Linneaus, Clivina fossor (Linneaus) and Platynus melanarius (Illiger), that were trapped for the first time in 2005. Species composition of epigaeic beetles was quite distinct in 2005 from 1980 with 39 species reported for the first time in 2005, indicating a high turnover of assemblages. At the habitat-level, greatest species diversity was in cottonwood stands and lowest was in old fields, and all habitat types in 2005 diverged from those in 1980s, but not cottonwood stands in 1981. As our sampled areas are among some of the last remnants of the original oak savanna habitats in central Minnesota, we hypothesize that conservation of these sites may be critical to maintaining epigaeic beetle assemblages under increased urbanization pressure.

New Distribution Records of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Iowa and South Dakota, U.S.A.

The ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) fauna of the Central Plains has been recorded locally in occasional state lists (e.g. Kirk and Balsbaugh, 1975; Jaques and Redlinger, 1945), while additions have been reported mainly as a byproduct of other studies (e.g. Esau and Peters, 1975; Ellsbury et al., 1998). Further studies may reveal additional distribution record species and help refine habitat preferences (e.g. Larsen et al., 2003). Previously we have reported new state distribution records for 24 species of ground beetles from Iowa and three species from South Dakota (Purrington and Larsen, 1997; Purrington et al., 2000). During subsequent investigations, we have found an additional 12 species of ground beetles that according to Bousquet and Larochelle (1993) represent new state distribution records for either Iowa or South Dakota, and one additional species with a significant range expansion within South Dakota. All beetles were collected using standard pitfall trapping or light trapping techniques, or collected by hand. Several species were collected by hand after heavily treading moist litter amongst cattails growing on the edge of a marsh near Brookings, SD. Voucher specimens are deposited in the insect collection of the Hoslett Museum of Natural History at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.

Response of Pemphigus betae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Beneficial Epigeal Arthropod Communities to Sugarbeet Plant Density and Seed-Applied Insecticide in Western Nebraska

Abstract This study investigated the impact of a neonicotinoid seed-applied insecticide (Poncho Beta) and two plant densities (86,487 and 61,776 plants per hectare) on the sugarbeet root aphid (Pemphigus betae Doane), beneficial epigeal arthropods, and selected crop yield parameters in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L. var. vulgaris). Ground beetles and centipedes were the most commonly collected taxa during 2012 and 2013, respectively. Centipede, spider, and rove beetle activity densities were not affected by the seed-applied insecticide, whereas plant density had a marginal effect on centipede activity density during 2012. Ground beetle species richness, diversity, and evenness were also not impacted by the seed treatments. However, during 2013, ground beetle activity density was significantly higher in plots planted with untreated sugarbeet seeds due to the abundance of Bembidion quadrimaculatum oppositum Say. Sugarbeet root aphid populations were significantly higher in the untreated plots during both years. In 2012, sugarbeet tonnage and sugar yield were higher under the low plant density treatment, while higher sugar content was recorded from the seed-applied insecticide plots (2013). Seed-applied neonicotinoids and plant density had little impact on beneficial epigeal arthropod activity density. Seed treatment did result in decreased root aphid populations; however, these reductions were not sufficient to be considered as an adequate control. This limited aphid control likely contributed to inconsistent effects on yield parameters.

Comparing the Effects of Two Tillage Operations on Beneficial Epigeal Arthropod Communities and Their Associated Ecosystem Services in Sugar Beets

Abstract Beneficial arthropods provide important ecosystem services in terms of arthropod pest and weed management, but these services can be adversely affected by farming practices such as tillage. This study investigated the impact of two tillage operations (zone tillage and moldboard plow) on the activity density of several beneficial, epigeal arthropod taxa, and postdispersal weed seed and prey removal in sugar beet agroecosystems. In addition, four omnivorous ground beetle species were selected for a weed-seed choice feeding assay, whereas a single species was selected for a weed-seed age preference assay. Ground beetles were the most commonly collected taxon (via pitfall sampling), with only a few dominant species. Tillage operation did not affect ground beetle activity density; however, spider, centipede, and rove beetle activity densities were higher in the reduced-tillage treatment. Live prey consumption was similar between tillage practices, with more prey consumed during nocturnal hours. More weed seeds were consumed in the reduced-tillage treatment, whereas weed-seed preference differed between the four weed species tested [Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult., Echinochloa crus-galli (L.), Kochia scoparia (L.), and Chenopodium album (L.)]. In the weed-seed choice feeding assay, significantly more broad-leaf weed seeds (C. album and K. scoparia) were consumed compared with grassy weed seeds (E. crus-galli and S. pumila). No preference for seed age was detected for E. crus-galli, but Harpalus pensylvanicus (De Geer) preferred old C. album seeds over fresh seeds. Zone tillage is compatible with ecosystem services, providing critical habitat within agricultural ecosystems needed to conserve beneficial, edaphic arthropods.

New Records of Ophonus puncticeps Stephens (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Iowa, USA Show Continued Westward Range Expansion

The ground beetle Ophonus puncticeps Stephens, 1828 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) (Fig. 1) is a Palearctic species that was introduced to North America from Europe (Dietrich 1957). This species is known to be a strong flier in Europe (Lindroth 1945) and is often attracted to lights at night (Ball and Bousquet 2000; Larochelle and Larivière 2003). Ophonus puncticeps lives in old-field habitats on bare gravel-loam soil (Lindroth 1968) and feeds on seed-heads of Queen Anne’s lace, Daucus carota L. (Apiaceae), in Europe (Larochelle 1990). Davidson (1975) has found it on curly dock, Rumex crispus L. (Polygonaceae), and Queen Anne’s lace in New York and Vermont. In North America, O. puncticeps was first found on Long Island, New York in 1954 (Dietrich 1957). Since then, it has expanded its range (Fig. 2) into upstate New York in 1969 and Vermont in 1972 (Davidson 1975), Massachusetts in 1973 (Larochelle and Lariviere 1989), New Jersey in 1975 (Steffens and Davidson 1979), Maine (Duval and Duval 1977), New Hampshire (Choate 1977), Ohio in 1978 (Larochelle and Lariviere 1989), Connecticut in 1982 (Krinsky and Oliver 1988), Québec in 1985 (Bousquet 1987), Ontario and Nova Scotia in 1987 (Larochelle and Lariviere 1989), Pennsylvania (Larochelle and Lariviere 1989), Wisconsin in 1995, Michigan in 1998, and Illinois in 1999 (Purrington et al. 2000), and Prince Edward Island in 2002 (Majka et al. 2006). We now report the continued expansion of O. puncticeps westward across the Mississippi River into Iowa. This species was first collected in eastern Iowa in 2006 (“IOWA: Linn County, Cedar Rapids: 2605 Blairs Ferry Rd NE on sidewalk 21-July-2006. Coll. Doug Veal”). It was then collected in extreme northeastern Iowa in 2009 (“IOWA: Allamakee County, Dorchester, Fig. 1. Ophonus puncticeps.