As above, not so as below: Above and below ground traps capture different dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species

Dung beetles provide important beneficial ecosystem services by decomposing dung, reducing parasites directly and indirectly, and aerating soils. Worldwide, dung beetles appear to be in decline and there is growing interest in monitoring populations and diversity; however, standard methods for dung beetle sampling have not been developed. Baited pitfall traps dug into the ground and baited with pig or human dung are most commonly used. To sample areas with rocky or high clay soils or with restrictions based on cultural heritage, alternative trap designs are required. This work tested capture rates for dung beetles in northcentral Oklahoma using different trap designs. We hypothesized that similarly baited below-ground and above-ground traps would be equally effective in capturing the dung beetle community. Bi-weekly sampling was conducted between October 2021 and June 2022 at two sheep pastures in Payne County Oklahoma using in-ground and above ground traps baited with pig dung. Over the course of samples, 230 individuals from seven species were captured. At least one individual of all species was captured in belowground traps while only four species and fewer individuals were captured in above ground traps. Based on these results, below ground traps should be used whenever possible. We will continue to examine alternative designs for trapping in areas where below ground traps cannot be placed.