SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION AND DIEL FLIGHT ACTIVITY OF DUNG-ATTRACTED HISTERIDS (COLEOPTERA, HISTERIDAE) IN OPEN AND WOODED PASTURE IN EAST-CENTRAL TEXAS

The seasonal distribution and diel flight activity of dung-attracted H isteridae were determined in an open and wooded habitat of a cattle pa sture in east-central Texas. Automated underground pitfall traps in th e two habitats baited with swine feces from March 1979 to November 198 0 captured 9,558 histerids representing 12 genera and 21 species. The majority of specimens of 17 species were captured in the open-pasture habitat where 77.2% and 79.5% of the total number of beetles were capt ured in 1979 and 1980, respectively. Flight activity for most species began in March or April each year and ceased in October or November. A ll species exhibited diurnal flight behavior.