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Trap insects with pitfall traps12/15/2023 Numerous cavity-dwelling saproxylic species have become threatened (Speight 1989 Nieto and Alexander 2010) because the number of large old trees has decreased and continues to decline, both in Europe and globally (Gibbons et al. Cavity formation and hollowing are normal life cycle stages for nearly all long-lived deciduous trees such as oak ( Quercus spp.) and lime ( Tilia spp.) (Schwarze et al. Decaying wood regularly occurs in mature living trees as heartwood decay caused by heart rot fungi. Many are strict habitat specialists living only in tree cavities (Speight 1989 Siitonen 2012a). Hollow trees are an important habitat for a large number of saproxylic invertebrates. We conclude that saproxylic beetle fauna living in hollow urban trees can be efficiently sampled with small trunk window traps or containers placed on the inner walls of hollows. Trunk windows were the most efficient trap type also in terms of saproxylic species and individuals per handling time. The time increased with increasing sample weight, i.e. Time spent separating insects from samples was the most laborious work stage. However, pitfall traps caught certain species more efficiently than the other two trap types. Trunk window and aluminium foil traps had similar assemblage and trapping efficiency, and were significantly more efficient than pitfall traps. The traps caught a total of 4004 saproxylic beetle individuals belonging to 131 species. A total of 30 traps of each trap type were set in 15 trees. We compared the species richness and species composition of saproxylic beetle assemblages between trunk window, aluminium foil tray and pitfall traps placed inside hollow trees in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Finland. The aim of our study was to find an efficient trap type for sampling saproxylic beetles in hollow urban trees. Sampling in urban areas includes the risk of trap failure due to human interference, which needs to be considered when designing sampling. Large old trees occur frequently in cities, but the saproxylic fauna inhabiting these trees has been poorly studied. The government’s national strategic plan for Science in Society, A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara, is a government initiative jointly led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Ministry of Education and the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor.Hollow trees are an important habitat for a large number of saproxylic invertebrates, many of which are rare or threatened. The Auckland STEM Alliance brings together businesses, educators and government. COMET Auckland hosts the Auckland STEM Alliance, which is leading the pilot in South Auckland. Its role is to advance education in Auckland by supporting education and skills across the region. COMET is a council-controlled organisation of Auckland Council and an independent charitable trust. The South Auckland pilot of the PSP is managed by COMET Auckland (Community Education Trust Auckland). The PSP is currently being implemented as a pilot in three areas: South Auckland, Taranaki and Otago. The Buzz In the Garden PSP project has been funded through the South Auckland pilot of the PSP – a programme that is part of the Curious Minds initiative and funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This activity has been produced as part of a Participatory Science Platform (PSP) programme. This resource was developed by Morgane Merien, Dr Chrissie Painting, Tom Saunders and Dr Leilani Walker for the Curious Minds Buzz in the Garden project.
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