Does the diurnal activity pattern of carabid beetles depend on season, ground temperature and habitat?

Abstract

The influence of season, ground temperature and habitat on diurnal epigeic activity of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in floodplain forest and neighboring clear-cut area was studied in late spring and early autumn by pitfall trapping. Among the material collected were 35 species of ground beetles. We recorded a significant influence of daytime factors on epigeic activity in 16 species. The epigeic activity of 13 species was co-affected by the temperature of the soil surface. The activity of some species differed, depending on season and locality.