STUDIES ON THE CEREAL ECOSYSTEM
157
2. Percentage composition and trophic structure
The percentage composition of the Coleoptera in samples taken from
cereal fields in the study area in both 1970 and 1971 was investigated.
The results are given in Table XIV.
In both 1970 and 1971 over 85% of the coleopterous fauna consisted
of members of the Staphylinidae, Cryptophagidae and Lathridiidae.
Apart from a few minor changes the composition of the fauna was much
the same in the two years.
TABLE XIV
Percentage compoaition of the Cohptera in aamplea from herbicide
treated cereal fie&, Weat Suaaex, 1970 and 1971
June 1970
June 1971
Cambidae
2.42
2.85
Leiodidae
0.00
0.14
Staphylinidae
38.92
36-03
Cantharidae
0.07
0.07
Nitidulidae
0.78
1.99
Cryptophagidae
32.93
35-28
Phalacridae
3.74
3.11
Lathridiidae
19.75
16-52
Coccinellidae
0.57
1.08
Chrysomelidae
1.48
2.09
Curculionidae
1.28
1.69
Elateridae
0.06
0.05
Silphidae
0.00
0.10
Hydrophilidae
0.00
0.02
The Staphylinidae were represented by several genera, of which
Atheta, Oxytelus and Tachyporus were the most numerous. The genus
Atheta consisted mainly of one species, A . fungi (Grav.), whilst
Tachyporus included four species, T . hypnorum (F.), T . chrysomelinus
(L.), T . obtusus (L.) and T . solutus Erich., of which the first two species
were the most numerous. The common Oxytelus species were 0. rugosus
(F.), 0. sculpturatus Gr. and 0. inustus Gr.
Of the other Staphylinidae, the commonest species were Stenus
clavicornis (Scop.), S . similis (Hb.), Paehrua littoralis Gr., Philonthus
fuscipennis Mann., P . cognatus Steph., Xantholinus longiventris Heer.,
Lathrobium multipunctum Gr. and Rugilus rufipes Gm.
In common with the adult Staphylinidae, the larvae consisted
mainly of members of the genera Tachyporus, Atheta and Oxytelus.
The Cryptophagidae were represented by several Atomaria species:
A . atricapilla Steph., A . fuscatu Sch6nh, A . ruficomis Marsh, A.
157
2. Percentage composition and trophic structure
The percentage composition of the Coleoptera in samples taken from
cereal fields in the study area in both 1970 and 1971 was investigated.
The results are given in Table XIV.
In both 1970 and 1971 over 85% of the coleopterous fauna consisted
of members of the Staphylinidae, Cryptophagidae and Lathridiidae.
Apart from a few minor changes the composition of the fauna was much
the same in the two years.
TABLE XIV
Percentage compoaition of the Cohptera in aamplea from herbicide
treated cereal fie&, Weat Suaaex, 1970 and 1971
June 1970
June 1971
Cambidae
2.42
2.85
Leiodidae
0.00
0.14
Staphylinidae
38.92
36-03
Cantharidae
0.07
0.07
Nitidulidae
0.78
1.99
Cryptophagidae
32.93
35-28
Phalacridae
3.74
3.11
Lathridiidae
19.75
16-52
Coccinellidae
0.57
1.08
Chrysomelidae
1.48
2.09
Curculionidae
1.28
1.69
Elateridae
0.06
0.05
Silphidae
0.00
0.10
Hydrophilidae
0.00
0.02
The Staphylinidae were represented by several genera, of which
Atheta, Oxytelus and Tachyporus were the most numerous. The genus
Atheta consisted mainly of one species, A . fungi (Grav.), whilst
Tachyporus included four species, T . hypnorum (F.), T . chrysomelinus
(L.), T . obtusus (L.) and T . solutus Erich., of which the first two species
were the most numerous. The common Oxytelus species were 0. rugosus
(F.), 0. sculpturatus Gr. and 0. inustus Gr.
Of the other Staphylinidae, the commonest species were Stenus
clavicornis (Scop.), S . similis (Hb.), Paehrua littoralis Gr., Philonthus
fuscipennis Mann., P . cognatus Steph., Xantholinus longiventris Heer.,
Lathrobium multipunctum Gr. and Rugilus rufipes Gm.
In common with the adult Staphylinidae, the larvae consisted
mainly of members of the genera Tachyporus, Atheta and Oxytelus.
The Cryptophagidae were represented by several Atomaria species:
A . atricapilla Steph., A . fuscatu Sch6nh, A . ruficomis Marsh, A.