An assessment of methods for sampling carabid beetles (Coleptera: Carabidae) in a montane rain forest

Abstract

Pitfall trapping is the traditional method for sampling carabid beetles and other ground- dwelling invertebrates. Tests were carried out in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park between March 1999 and July 2000. Results indicated that pitfall traps were less efficient compared to manual searching methods, both in terms of relative abundance and species richness of carabid beetles. The results are discussed in the context of biodiversity inventories in the Eastern Arc Mountains.