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1 February 2014 Effects of Pitfall Trap Lid Transparency and Habitat Structure on the Catches of Carabid Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Tame Pasture
Aaron J. Bell, Iain D. Phillips, Kevin D. Floate, Brittney M. Hoemsen, Colin E. Phillips
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Abstract

Captures of insects in pitfall traps are affected by features of trap design that may confound the interpretation of data. One such feature is a lid suspended over the opening of the trap to exclude debris and rainwater. In this study, we tested whether use of these lids affected captures of carabid beetles by altering the light conditions at the opening to the trap. In one experiment, we examined the effects of lid transparency (opaque, semitransparent, or transparent) on catch rates. In a second experiment, we manipulated the heights (high, medium, or low) of vegetation adjacent to the traps to test for lid transparency and vegetation height interactions. We found that significantly more carabids were captured with use of transparent lids compared with other lid transparencies. Fewest Agonum cupreum Dejean, 1831, were captured with use of opaque lids. No other effects were detected. Given these results, we advocate the use of transparent lids, which provide the benefits of traditional opaque lids while minimizing the effects of lid use on light conditions at the opening to the trap.

© 2014 Entomological Society of America
Aaron J. Bell, Iain D. Phillips, Kevin D. Floate, Brittney M. Hoemsen, and Colin E. Phillips "Effects of Pitfall Trap Lid Transparency and Habitat Structure on the Catches of Carabid Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Tame Pasture," Environmental Entomology 43(1), 139-145, (1 February 2014). https://doi.org/10.1603/EN13145
Received: 14 May 2013; Accepted: 2 November 2013; Published: 1 February 2014
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KEYWORDS
Byrrhidae
ground beetle
sampling method
Saskatchewan
trap design
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