The distribution of the surface-active beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Elateridae) in the agricultural landscapes of Northwestern Russia

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that the species composition of the surface-active beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Elateridae) in the landscape site is determined by its local crop. The hygrophilous species are most common in areas with dense vegetation. Assemblages of the epigeic beetles in fields of different crops and adjacent habitats (field margins overgrown with shrubs and forbs) are separated from each other. Beetles associated with a leaf litter layer dominate on the field margins, while rarely occurring in the fields. The populations of the surface-active beetles in perennial grass fields and field margins have the highest species richness.