D3072: Species assemblages of native Cerambycidae in urban and forested settings

Many native species of Cerambycidae colonize severely stressed, dying or newly dead trees, playing an important role in decomposition and nutrient cycling. Although these beetles can be relatively abundant, distribution and host trees of many species are poorly known. We deployed two cross-vane panel traps baited with a broadly attractive sex-aggregation pheromone in 16 Michigan sites for three to six years between 2017 to 2022. One trap in each site was hung from a canopy branch while the other was hung from a length of rebar, 1.5 m aboveground. Sites included small, wooded patches in industrial areas and in areas of extensive forests. At each site, we assessed overstory tree species and coarse woody debris (down logs) in fixed radius plots and linear transects centered on the traps. Land use classes within a one km radius were identified to quantify proportion of each area with trees or forest cover. Between 2017 and 2022, a total of 7,455 cerambycids representing 96 unique species were captured. Ten traps in sites with low forest cover captured 2,593 individuals representing 63 species, eight traps within mid forest cover captured 1,347 individuals representing 62 species and 14 traps within high forest cover captured 3,364 individuals representing 75 species. Analyses are underway to relate cerambycid species assemblages and richness to trap placement, overstory tree diversity and availability of fresh coarse woody debris.