| Popis: |
We studied the diversity of ground beetles in a typical potato-growing region of South-Western Bulgaria for three consecutive years (2013–2015). The aim was to discuss the present data in relation to results obtained about ten years earlier for the same agricultural area. Totally, 2058 individuals of 45 species were recorded during the period of the study. Poecilus cupreus (Linnaeus) and Bembidion quadrimaculatum (Linnaeus) were the most numerous species during each of the three years of the study. In addition, Poecilus lepidus (Leske) was numerous in 2014 and Lionychus quadrillum (Duftschmid) in 2015. More than 1300 carabid specimens were collected in June 2013, while, in June 2014 and June 2015, they were less than 400. The present results are congruent with the hypothesis that the application of systemic insecticide in 2014 and 2015 affected the community of the ground beetles by elimination of larger zoophages, thus creating conditions for recolonisation by smaller zoophages, which have high dispersal capability; however, further studies are needed to test this supposition. |
