Epigeic carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in strawberry plantations in northeastern Poland

The aim of this research was to determine the species composition and structure of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages found in strawberry plantations grown for a different number of years. The study was carried out on a farm near Bartoszyce, in northeastern Poland. It covered 4 plantations of cv. Senga Sengana strawberries. The youngest plantation was set up in September 2007, and each preceding plantation was a year older, so the oldest one was set up in 2004. The investigations on carabid beetles inhabiting these fields lasted from May to the end of October 2008. Beetles were collected by modified Barber traps. Samples were taken in bi-weekly intervals. In total, 5,682 individuals of the family Carabidae, representing 60 species, were caught. The most numerous ones were Harpalus rufipes (26.8%), Calathus fuscipes (23.7%), and Nebria brevicollis (17.5%). The dominant species belonged to the autumn-type of development, open-area, and eurytopic beetles. The results showed that the strawberry plantations differed from each other in the composition of Carabidae depending on their surroundings and age.