Studies on the Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of the Saglik Plain - Gavur Lake Marsh Area, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

Abstract

This research was carried out in and around Gavur Lake Marsh (Saglik Plain) because of its biogeographical location and ecological situation and especially for its current agricultural importance. Many carabid species are important predators of agricultural pests, hence the objective of the Study was to obtain data on the occurrence of carabid species and to quantify the influence of habitat type on their activity and distribution. A total of 796 ground beetles representing 48 different species were discovered. Of those, 38 (79%) species were sampled by pitfall traps from places 3 kin away from lake, 12 (25%) species were sampled by pitfall traps and hand from these places 3 km distance from lake and 10 (21%) species were sampled by hand and aspirator nearer to Gavur Lake. Species having Turano-European and Mediterranean chorotypes are the most widespread and common in the study area.