Fauna of Some Beetles (Coleoptera) in North Rice Fields of Iran

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Abstract

Beetles (Coleoptera) are the largest order of insects, which exist in all agroecosystems and natural ecosystems. Since rice fields include both aquatic and subterranean ecosystems, diverse fauna of beetles are active in rice fields of the world. In regard to the importance of these insects in chain foods of biosphere, fauna of some coleopteran families was surveyed in north rice fields of Iran (including, Mazandaran, Guilan and Golestan provinces) through 2001-2006. In total 69 beetle species of 9 families including, Alleculidae (3 species of one genus), Bruchidae (3 species of 3 genera), Cleridae (3 species of one genus), Curculionidae (15 species of 8 genera), Histeridae (6 species of 5 genera), Nitidulidae (4 species of 4 genera), Silphidae (6 species of 5 genera), Staphylinidae (17 species of 11 genera) and Tenebrionidae (12 species of 11 genera) were collected from rice fields and surrounding grasslands of Northern Iran.

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