A preliminary investigation of the arthropod fauna of Quitobaquito Springs area, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona
Kingsley KJ, Bailowitz RA, Smith RL. 1987. A preliminary investigation of the arthropod fauna of Quitobaquito Springs area, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona. Technical Report No. 23. University of Arizona. Tucson, AZ
Insects were collected during seven field trips to Quitobaquito Springs. Several different techniques for collecting were used, including blacklight trapping, aerial and sweep netting, and hand capture. The collection reflects the interests of the investigators and is not a thorough sampling of all taxa that might be found or all microhabitats that are available. At total of 559 species-level taxa in 134 families representing 12 orders were collected. Many of these are identified to species level. The study area is probably the only United States breeding habitat of the butterfly Ascia howarthi (commonly named Giant White) which is dependent upon the plant Atamisquea emarginata (no common name) which grows at no other location in the U.S. Protection of this rare plant is called for if the butterfly is to remain part of the fauna. The insect fauna is probably typical of Sonoran desert habitats where permanent water is present. No significant threats to insect populations were apparent or are in need of management consideration at this time.Insects were collected during seven field trips to Quitobaquito Springs. In all, 559 species in 134 families representing 12 orders were collected. This collection is probably typical of Sonoran desert areas around permanent water. No significant threats to insect populations were noted. An important distribution record is that of the Giant White butterfly (Ascia howarthi) which is totally dependent upon the rare plant Atamisquea emarginata which can only be found near Quitobaquito Springs. A species list of the insect collection is arranged according to order (boldface), family, subfamily, genus, and species (Boror et al.). Brief bibliography, 2 tables.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Kingsley, Kenneth; Bailowitz, Richard; Smith, Robert
- Date of Issue
- 1987-07
- Publisher
- University of Arizona
- Units
- ORPI , SODN
- Keywords
- Arthropods (Arthropoda), Biogeography, Checklist, Collections, desert tree caper (Atamisquea emarginata), Distribution, Entomology, giant white butterfly (Ascia howarthi), Insects (Insecta), Inventory & Monitoring, Native Species, Non-Native Species, Plants, Quitobaquito Springs (ORPI), Riparian Zone, Sonoran Desert, Water Resources