Nigel B. Halsall, Stephen D. Wratten. 1988. The efficiency of pitfall trapping for polyphagous predatory Carabidae. Ecological Entomology 13: 293-299.

ABSTRACT.

1. The efficiency of pitfall trapping was investigated for seven carabid species, using time‐lapse video recording equipment, in the laboratory.

2. The effects of differing substrates, trap designs and seasons of collection on the capture rates of the carabids was also investigated.

3. Capture rate differed significantly between the species studied. The differences in capture rates between the species were unrelated to beetle size, speed of movement and diurnal behaviour.

4. Few differences arose in the capture rates when type of substrate or trap or season of capture were changed.

Keywords: methods sampling, efficiency of pitfall traps, carabids, video, capture rate differs between species, biological control, predator