An examination of leaf beetle specimens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the largest beetle collections in Kentucky, recent inventory work in state nature preserves and other protected areas, and a review of the literature revealed 59 species of Cryptocephalinae present in Kentucky, 27 of which were previously unreported for the state. Distribution maps and label data are presented for the 59 Kentucky species, including spatial (state and Kentucky county records), temporal (years and months of collection in Kentucky), and plant association information. The following species are reported from Kentucky for the first time: Griburius scutellaris (F.), Pachybrachis bivittatus (Say), Pachybrachis confusus Bowditch, Pachybrachis diversus Fall, Pachybrachis hepaticus hepaticus (F. E. Melsheimer), Pachybrachis luridus (F.), Pachybrachis morosus Haldeman, Pachybrachis obsoletus Suffrian, Pachybrachis othonus othonus (Say), Pachybrachis peccans Suffrian, Pachybrachis pectoralis (F. E. Melsheimer), Pachybrachis praeclarus Weise, Pachybrachis spumarius Suffrian, Pachybrachis trinotatus (F. E. Melsheimer), Pachybrachis viduatus (F.), Bassareus lituratus (F.), Cryptocephalus calidus Suffrian, Cryptocephalus fulguratus J. L. LeConte, Cryptocephalus gibbicollis decrescens R. White, Cryptocephalus mutabilis F. E. Melsheimer, Cryptocephalus notatus F., Cryptocephalus striatulus J. L. LeConte, Diachus catarius (Suffrian), Diachus chlorizans (Suffrian), Triachus atomus (Suffrian), Coleopthorpa dominicana franciscana (J. L. LeConte), and Neochlamisus gibbosus (F.).

Leaf beetle collection data from five Kentucky State Nature Preserves are summarized over a four-year period (2005 to 2008) encompassing a total of 57 collection events. Our primary objective was to survey leaf beetle populations found within the five preserves. We also wanted to assess impacts of prescribed fire management within these habitats on leaf beetles. We used means ANOVA procedures, species richness estimators, NMS ordinations, and contingency tables analyses. There were clear differences between the five preserves, with Raymond Athey State Nature Preserve (Logan Co.) being the most diverse (87 species) and having the greatest number of rare species (30). Ordination analyses revealed very minimal impacts of prescribed burns on leaf beetle composition in the four preserves where it is used as a management practice. Overall, leaf beetle composition appeared linked with Nature Preserves sampling/management units across years, overriding any year to year differences due to weather or other influences. The only significant year to year difference within a preserve occurred at Blue Licks State Park Nature Preserve, which had a lower number of beetles in 2007, possibly due to drought that summer. In total, we found 143 species, with 9 species unique to only one preserve (four of the five preserves contained unique species). These results demonstrate the importance of protected areas such as state nature preserves as refugia not only for known threatened or endangered plants and animals, but also for associated biota in little-studied groups, such as leaf beetles.

Two new species of land snails, Patera estillensis, Stenotrema macgregori, and one new subspecies, Appalachina sayana kentucki, found in the family Polygyridae are described from eastern Kentucky. Patera estillensis is currently known from Estill and Jackson counties only and, therefore, endemic to Kentucky. Stenotrema macgregori and A. sayana kentucki are currently known from Pike, Letcher, and portions of Harlan County, Kentucky, and Wise County, Virginia.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) is currently revising its 590 Nutrient Management Conservation Standard. As part of this revision, USDA-NRCS is considering requiring states to test the accuracy of their phosphorus (P) indices using either measured P loss data or simulated P loss data generated from process-based models. The objective of this study was to critically evaluate the KY P index by comparing index output with simulated P loss data obtained from a validated P loss model. Furthermore, the general formulation of the index was evaluated against current research on the processes controlling P transport in the environment. Results suggested that in some areas the index does a good job in assigning P loss risk; however, this analysis also showed some important deficiencies in the index, primarily the neglect of important factors known to affect P loss (e.g., soil erosion and P application rates) and how the different factors in the index are weighted. To reduce the amount of P that is exported from agricultural fields to waterways within Kentucky, resources should be devoted to revising the KY P index to address these limitations as well as developing long-term monitoring sites where the P index and more process-based models can be evaluated against measured P loss data.

A total of 30 new odonate county distribution records are presented for counties in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The known odonate fauna of Madison County, Kentucky, is increased from 16 to 27 species and the fauna of Claiborne County, Tennessee, is increased from 18 to 27 species. Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae species accounted for the majority of the new records, 15 and 7, respectively.