Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Populations in Kentucky Alfalfa and Influence of Tillage

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Abstract
A study was conducted to characterize ground beetle populations in alfalfa and to determine influence of tillage practice on that community. Over 11,000 individuals and 40 species of ground beetles were trapped, indicating large and diverse populations of carabids. However, only 15 individual species represented >1% of the total community during either year of the study. In a simulated 4-year successional study, three species (Evarthrus sodalis LeConte, Harpalus pennsylvanicus De Geer, and Amara cupreolata Putzeys) were clearly dominant throughout the investigation. Relative abundance of these species changed yearly, but they were not replaced by other species. Lack of soil disturbance in no-tillage plots did not increase the number of species or abundance of carabids in those plots. Based on their rapid colonization of new habitats, ability to maintain high population levels over time, and asynchronous temporal distribution, the aforementioned species have the greatest potential as predators of major alfalfa pests.

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