A Survey of Arachnids and Insects, with an Emphasis on Blister Beetles, Inhabiting Alfalfa in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. (Biological Science Section).

* Marshall, M.E., L.C. Dunn, M.F. Haskins, Rockhurst University, and S. Vortriede, University of Missouri-Kansas City. A SURVEY OF ARACHNIDS AND INSECTS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON BLISTER BEETLES, INHABITING ALFALFA IN WESTERN MISSOURI AND EASTERN KANSAS. Eight alfalfa fields, representing approximately 80 acres, were scouted from June 1, 2000 through October 15, 2000. Fields were located in Franklin County, KS, Jackson County, MO, and Johnson County, MO. Investigators used both visual inspections and sweep nets to survey each field on a weekly or bimonthly basis. Orders of arachnids and insects represented in the sampling included: Araneae, Coleoptera, Collembola, Diptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, and Lepidoptera. Twenty swarms of blister beetles, Epicauta sp., were identified during the study, and many behavioral observations were made. Starting in mid-July beetles were routinely found on a weekly basis.

However, since frass and leaf damage were minimal in each of the fields, investigators could not determine a swarm's movement between sampling periods. Dispersal of the swarm may have also contributed to the investigators' inability to relocate individual swarms.