Coleoptera (beetles) from subalpine forest (Lijiang), Yunnan, China

Study Extent

The sampling was conducted in an elevational gradient established in Lijiang, Yulong Snow Mountain (27.1°N, 100.2°E):, in Yunnan Province, southwest China. The elevational transect was established in a tropical rainforest.

Sampling

This data set includes beetles collected using four standardized sampling protocols using Pitfall traps, Malaise traps, Litter extraction (processed using Burlese-Tullgren funnels), and Bark spray from Lijiang, Yulong Snow Mountain, China 2012. Sampling was conducted along an elevational transect divided into four elevational bands separated by approximately 200 m vertical intervals (ranging from 3200 to 3800 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 (3200,3400,3600,3800m) elevational bands. Sampling plots (20 m x 20 m) were at least 150 m away from each other at each elevational band. Four standard insect sampling methods, namely bark spray, litter extraction, malaise traps, and pitfall traps, were used to target ants, beetles, wasps, and moths. Two sets of five large trees (DBH>30 cm) 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 for at least 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 ten days outside each plot to collect flying insects. A total of 10 120 mL pitfall traps (44 mm internal diameter) filled with 95% were left open at each plot diagonally, approximately 2.5m away from each other. A 15 cm x 15 cm black plastic plate 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 the sampling method are available in Ashton et al. (2016) and Fontanilla et al. (2019).

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

1. Attelabidae
   rank: family
2. Cantharidae
   rank: family
3. Carabidae
   rank: family
4. Chrysomelidae
   rank: family
5. Ciidae
   rank: family
6. Cleridae
   rank: family
7. Coccinellidae
   rank: family
8. Corylophidae
   rank: family
9. Curculionidae
   rank: family
10. Platypodinae
    rank: subfamily
11. Scolytinae
    rank: subfamily
12. Elateridae
    rank: family
13. Endomychidae
    rank: family
14. Erotylidae
    rank: family
15. Eucinetidae
    rank: family
16. Hydrophilidae
    rank: family
17. Lampyridae
    rank: family
18. Latridiidae
    rank: family
19. Leiodidae
    rank: family
20. Limnichidae
    rank: family
21. Melandrydae
    rank: family
22. Monotomidae
    rank: family
23. Mycetophagidae
    rank: family
24. Nitidulidae
    rank: family
25. Phalacridae
    rank: family
26. Ptiliidae
    rank: family
27. Salpingidae
    rank: family
28. Scarabaeidae
    rank: family
29. Staphylinidae
    rank: family
30. Aleocharinae
    rank: subfamily
31. Omaliinae
    rank: subfamily
32. Osoriinae
    rank: subfamily
33. Oxytelinae
    rank: subfamily
34. Paederinae
    rank: subfamily
35. Pselaphinae
    rank: subfamily
36. Scaphidinae
    rank: subfamily
37. Scydmaeninae
    rank: subfamily
38. Staphylininae
    rank: subfamily
39. Steninae
    rank: subfamily
40. Tachyporinae
    rank: subfamily
41. Tenebrionidae
    rank: family
42. Zopheridae
    rank: family

The sampling was conducted along a permanently marked elevational transect (~3200m-3800m) established in subalpine forests in Yunnan Province, Southwest China.