The Thermal Ecology of a Desert Community of Darkling Beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) at White Sands National Monument, NM
MacKay WP. The Thermal Ecology of a Desert Community of Darkling Beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) at White Sands National Monument, NM. Laboratory for Environmental Biology, University of Texas. El Paso, TX
Tenebrionid beetles are among the most common and conspicuous animals in most desert ecosystems, despite their black color in habitats with high solar insolation. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors which most influenced body temperature of six species of beetles and document behavioral changes in the beetles which would protect them from high temperature extremes. We found that beetle body temperature was highly correlated with air and especially soil surface temperature. The beetles adapted their behavior to maximize the time they spent at favorable temperatures and humidities. Activity above ground was bimodal, with a brief period occurring in the morning and a second longer period during the afternoon. The beetles were not active at night. During the times of highest ambient temperature, the beetles burrowed into the sand to layers of constant and moderate temperature.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- MacKay, William
- Publisher
- Laboratory for Environmental Biology, University of Texas
- Units
- WHSA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, darkling beetle, Insects, Invertebrates, Tenebrionid beetle