Disentangling the effects of microclimate on vertical and horizontal stratification of bark-boring beetles in southeastern U.S. deciduous forests

Bark and wood boring beetles include some of the most economically important forest insects, especially those that are introduced to novel environments. A proper understanding of species distribution is critical for detection and management. In this study we placed traps at three heights above ground at the edge and on the interior of two forests targeting two beetle guilds: wood/phloem feeding beetles and ambrosia beetles. We recorded temperature, humidity, and canopy cover for each trap. We found species richness to increase with height for wood/phloem feeding beetles and decrease with height for ambrosia beetles. We also found the combination of height and placement to significantly affect abundance for both guilds. Our results indicate that to capture the full diversity of these guilds, traps must be placed at multiple heights and at both the edge and interior of forests.