Scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) associated with pocket gophers in Wisconsin

Abstract

A survey of nonparasitic arthropods inhabiting pocket gopher burrows in Wisconsin was undertaken from 1998 through 2002, representing the first survey of its kind for the Great Lakes region. Six scarab species were collected during this survey, all of which represented new state records at the time of collection. Observations for each species, including diagnostic remarks, seasonality, distribution, and natural history information are provided. Background information on pocket gophers, with an emphasis on the Wisconsin species, Geomys bursarius, is also provided.