Coleoptera (beetles) from tropical forest (Bubeng), Yunnan, China

Study Extent

The sampling was conducted in an elevational gradient established in in Mengla(21.6°N, 101.5°E):, in Yunnan Province, south-west China. The elevational transect was established in a tropical rainforest.

Sampling

This data set includes beetles collected using four standardised sampling protocols using Pitfall traps, Malaise traps, Litter extraction (processed using Burlese-Tullgren funnels) and Bark spray from Mengla, China 2012. Sampling was conducted along an elevational transect which was divided into four elevational bands separated by approximately 200 m vertical intervals (ranging from 800 to 1400 m a.s.l ). Five 20 m by 20 m plots were deployed in each elevational band, at least 150m away from each other. Plots were carefully located to avoid areas with any signs of disturbances (i.e., canopy gaps) and to maintain similar aspects and slopes where possible.

Method steps

1. Sampling was conducted in five sampling plots established in four (800,1000,1200,1400m) elevational bands. Sampling plots (20 m x 20 m) were at least 150 m away each other at each elevational band. Four standard insect sampling methods namely bark spray, litter extraction, malaise traps and pit fall traps were used in each targeting ants, beetles, wasps, and moths. Two set of five large tress (DBH>30 cm) located inside and outside the plots were used for bark spraying. Each tree was sprayed with pyrethroid insecticide on the bark surface approximately 3 m up the trunk from the base at least for 15 minutes. Fallen insects were collected onto a rectangular nylon sheet and preserved. Two sets of leaf litter from a 1 m2 area were collected at each plot. Each 1 m2 sample was collected from sub 0.25 m2 quadrats (50 cm x 50 cm) and each collection was at least 5m apart from each other. Top loose soil and litter from each quadrat were collected by hand, sieved and processed using Burlese-Tullgren funnels for 24 to 36 hours depending on litter water content. A Townes Malaise trap was operated for 10 days outside of each plot primarily to collect flying insects. Total of 10 120 mL pitfall traps (44 mm internal diamete) filled with 95% were left open at each plot diagonally, approximately 2.5m away from each other. A black plastic plate of 15 cm x 15 cm was suspended 4-5 cm above the traps to intercept rainfall. All samples from each plot were pooled before data analysis. All litter extraction, bark spray, malaise trap, pitfall trap and hand collection samples were stored in 95% ethanol until ants, beetles and wasps were extracted. More details on sampling method is available on Ashton et al. (2016) and Fontanilla et al. (2019).

Presenting beetle samples were identified speceis belonging to order Coleoptera, down to family and subfamily level.

1. Aderidae
   rank: family
2. Aleocharinae
   rank: subfamily
3. Anobiidae
   rank: family
4. Anthicidae
   rank: family
5. Anthribidae
   rank: family
6. Archeocrypticidae
   rank: family
7. Attelabidae
   rank: family
8. Biphyllidae
   rank: family
9. Buprestidae
   rank: family
10. Cantharidae
    rank: family
11. Carabidae
    rank: family
12. Cerambycidae
    rank: family
13. Cerylonidae
    rank: family
14. Chrysomelidae
    rank: family
15. Cleridae
    rank: family
16. Coccinellidae
    rank: family
17. Corylophidae
    rank: family
18. Curculionidae
    rank: family
19. Platypodinae
    rank: subfamily
20. Scolytinae
    rank: subfamily
21. Dasycerinae
    rank: subfamily
22. Discolomatidae
    rank: family
23. Dytiscidae
    rank: family
24. Elateridae
    rank: family
25. Endomychidae
    rank: family
26. Erotylidae
    rank: family
27. Eucinetidae
    rank: family
28. Histeridae
    rank: family
29. Hydraenidae
    rank: family
30. Hydrophilidae
    rank: family
31. Laemophloeidae
    rank: family
32. Lampyridae
    rank: family
33. Latridiidae
    rank: family
34. Leiodidae
    rank: family
35. Limnichidae
    rank: family
36. Lucanidae
    rank: family
37. Lycidae
    rank: family
38. Lymexylidae
    rank: family
39. Melandryidae
    rank: family
40. Melyridae
    rank: family
41. Mordellidae
    rank: family
42. Mycetophagidae
    rank: family
43. Nitidulidae
    rank: family
44. Nosodendridae
    rank: family
45. Oedemeridae
    rank: family
46. Omaliinae
    rank: subfamily
47. Osoriinae
    rank: subfamily
48. Oxytelinae
    rank: subfamily
49. Paederinae
    rank: subfamily
50. Phalacridae
    rank: family
51. Propalticidae
    rank: family
52. Proteininae
    rank: subfamily
53. Pselaphinae
    rank: subfamily
54. Pseudopsinae
    rank: subfamily
55. Ptiliidae
    rank: family
56. Salpingidae
    rank: subfamily
57. Scaphidiinae
    rank: subfamily
58. Scarabaeidae
    rank: family
59. Scirtidae
    rank: family
60. Scydmaeninae
    rank: subfamily
61. Silvanidae
    rank: family
62. Staphylininae
    rank: subfamily
63. Steninae
    rank: subfamily
64. Tachyporinae
    rank: subfamily
65. Tenebrionidae
    rank: family
66. Tetratomaedes
    rank: family
67. Thanerocleridae
    rank: family
68. Throscidae
    rank: family
69. Tricoleidae
    rank: family
70. Zopheridae
    rank: family

The smapling was conducted along a permanently marked elevational transect (~800m-1400m) established in rainforest in Yunnan Province, Southwest China.