Coleoptera (beetles) from sub-tropical forest (Ailao mountain), Yunnan, China

Study Extent

The sampling was conducted in an elevational gradient established in Ailao Mountains Reserve (24.2°N, 101.2°E):, in Yunnan Province, southwest China. The elevational transect was established in the sub-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 Ailao Mountains Reserve, China 2011. Sampling was conducted along an elevational transect divided into four elevational bands separated by approximately 200 m vertical intervals (ranging from 2000 to 2800 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 (2000,2200,2400,2600,2800m) 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).

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

1. Aderidae
   rank: family
2. Agyrtidae
   rank: family
3. Anthicidae
   rank: family
4. Anthribidae
   rank: family
5. Attelabidae
   rank: family
6. Biphyllidae
   rank: family
7. Cantharidae
   rank: family
8. Carabidae
   rank: family
9. Cerambycidae
   rank: family
10. Chrysomelidae
    rank: family
11. Cleridae
    rank: family
12. Coccinellidae
    rank: family
13. Corylophidae
    rank: family
14. Curculionidae
    rank: family
15. Platypodinae
    rank: subfamily
16. Scolytinae
    rank: subfamily
17. Cybocephaldae
    rank: family
18. Elateridae
    rank: family
19. Endomychidae
    rank: family
20. Erotylidae
    rank: family
21. Eucinetidae
    rank: family
22. Helotidae
    rank: family
23. Histeridae
    rank: family
24. Hydraenidae
    rank: family
25. Hydrophilidae
    rank: family
26. Lampyridae
    rank: family
27. Latridiidae
    rank: family
28. Leiodidae
    rank: family
29. Limnichidae
    rank: family
30. Lucanidae
    rank: family
31. Lycidae
    rank: family
32. Melandrydae
    rank: family
33. Melandryidae
    rank: family
34. Monotomidae
    rank: family
35. Mordellidae
    rank: family
36. Nitidulidae
    rank: family
37. Noteridae
    rank: family
38. Phalacridae
    rank: family
39. Ptiliidae
    rank: family
40. Ptilodactylidae
    rank: family
41. Salpingidae
    rank: family
42. Scarabaeidae
    rank: family
43. Silphidae
    rank: family
44. Nicrophorinae
    rank: subfamily
45. Silvanidae
    rank: family
46. Staphylinidae
    rank: family
47. Aleocharinae
    rank: subfamily
48. Dasycerinae
    rank: subfamily
49. Habrocerinae
    rank: subfamily
50. Omaliinae
    rank: subfamily
51. Osoriinae
    rank: subfamily
52. Oxytelinae
    rank: subfamily
53. Paederinae
    rank: subfamily
54. Proteininae
    rank: subfamily
55. Pselaphinae
    rank: subfamily
56. Pseudopsinae
    rank: subfamily
57. Scaphidiinae
    rank: subfamily
58. Scaphidinae
    rank: subfamily
59. Scydmaeninae
    rank: subfamily
60. Staphylininae
    rank: subfamily
61. Steninae
    rank: subfamily
62. Tachyporinae
    rank: subfamily
63. Trichophynae
    rank: subfamily
64. Tenebrionidae
    rank: family
65. Throscidae
    rank: family
66. Biphyllidae
    rank: family
67. Cantharidae
    rank: family
68. Carabidae
    rank: family
69. Chrysomelidae
    rank: family
70. Curculionidae
    rank: family
71. Hydraenidae
    rank: family
72. Hydrophilidae
    rank: family
73. Leiodidae
    rank: family
74. Limnichidae
    rank: family
75. Monotomidae
    rank: family
76. Nitidulidae
    rank: family
77. Pselaphinae
    rank: subfamily
78. Ptiliidae
    rank: family
79. Scarabaeidae
    rank: family
80. Staphylinidae
    rank: family
81. Tenebrionidae
    rank: family

The sampling was conducted along a permanently marked elevational transect (~2000m-2600m) established in sub-tropical forests in Yunnan Province, Southwest China.