Ground Coleoptera activity-density across crop types in agricultural ecosystems of the Thessaly Plain (Greece) and its implications for Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) prey availability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2026.032Keywords
Coleoptera, ground beetles, Thessaly plain, pitfall traps, Lesser KestrelAbstract
Species of the order Coleoptera play diverse ecological roles in agricultural ecosystems, and in many cases their populations can be monitored as biodiversity indicators. This study investigates the activity-density and diversity of ground Coleoptera in agricultural ecosystems of the Thessaly Plain, Greece, during the breeding season of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), given that many Coleoptera species are known to be part of its diet. This study focuses on Coleoptera activity-density and its implications for potential prey availability, rather than direct prey use. A total of 18 Coleoptera families were recorded, with Carabidae, Anthicidae, Silphidae, Tenebrionidae, Elateridae, and Scarabaeidae being the most abundant. The results indicate significant variations in Coleoptera activity-density across different crop types and sampling periods, with legumes, cereals, and fallow lands hosting the highest values. In contrast, intensive crops such as cotton and maize exhibited lower activity-density. The study's results highlight the importance of preserving habitat heterogeneity in agricultural landscapes to promote biodiversity conservation.
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