Wild bird nests as microhabitats for beetle assemblages in a Neotropical dry forest of northwestern Peru

Abstract

Beetles are among the most ecologically versatile insect groups, inhabiting a wide range of environments where they feed or complete their metamorphosis, including bird nests established in both forests and urban settings. The present study determined the species composition of beetles associated with wild bird nests in Marcavelica, northwestern Peru. Monthly sampling was conducted from August to November 2018, during which a total of 160 nests were collected. A total of 394 adult beetle specimens were recorded, distributed across 2 suborders—Adephaga (1 family) and Polyphaga (8 families)—encompassing 13 subfamilies and 17 species. The family Tenebrionidae showed the highest abundance with 304 individuals. Parepitragus pulverulentus was the most abundant species with 286 individuals, followed by Aeolus sp. with 28 and Ammophorus rubripes with 16 individuals, respectively. Nests of Campylorhynchus fasciatus ("choqueco") harbored the greatest number of specimens (246).