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Biodiversity of Coleoptera and other invertebrates in urban gardens: a case study in a New Zealand city

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posted on 2023-05-10, 08:15 authored by Barbara BarrattBarbara Barratt, K. J. M. Dickinson, C. Freeman, S. Porter, Peter Johnstone, J. Wing, Yolanda van Heezik
1. Invertebrate biodiversity was investigated in 55 domestic gardens in the city of Dunedin in southern New Zealand. The influence of habitat types within the gardens (lawns, open beds, and closed canopy beds) on invertebrate community structure was investigated by pitfall trapping. Species richness of Coleoptera, the proportion of native species, and effects of pesticide use by householders was examined. 2. The most abundantly trapped taxa were Collembola, Amphipoda, and Diptera. Most taxa were represented in all three habitat types, but Collembola, Diptera, and Araneae were most frequently collected in lawns and Isopoda in open beds. 3. The use of pesticides had no effect on total trap catch, but detritivore numbers were higher in gardens where no insecticide had been used. Opiliones and Acarina were captured in greater numbers in gardens where herbicides had not been used. 4. Over 1400 Coleoptera were identified to 164 species/morphospecies. Species richness averaged 12 species per garden. Staphylinidae, Curculionidae, and Carabidae were the most abundantly collected Coleoptera, both for species and individuals. Species richness was not affected by vegetation type. The coleopteran fauna was predominantly native (80–90%) for species and individuals. 5. The capture of a new to New Zealand weevil species (Exomias pellicidus (Boheman)) suggests that urban studies could play a role in alerting authorities to biosecurity incursions. The study stimulated considerable interest in invertebrates from householders, which might help fill the gap between acquiring environmental awareness and encouraging changes in behaviour towards support for native biodiversity.

History

Rights statement

© 2015 The Royal Entomological Society

Language

  • English

Does this contain Māori information or data?

  • No

Publisher

Wiley

Journal title

Insect Conservation and Diversity

ISSN

1752-4598

Citation

Barratt, B. I. P., Dickinson, K. J. M., Freeman, C., Porter, S., Johnstone, P. D., Wing, J., & van Heezik, Y. (2015), Biodiversity of Coleoptera and other invertebrates in urban gardens: a case study in a New Zealand city. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 8(5), 428–437. doi: 10.1111/icad.12120

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