Sampling Methods for Beetles (Coleoptera)

Beetles are a very diverse group of insects, both in terms of food habits and distribution across different habitats. Most of them live in the terrestrial environment, but many species are aquatic or semiaquatic. Although they are responsible for agricultural and public health damage, beetles are essential in several ecological processes and ecosystem services. The survey is one tool widely used to answer ecological and taxonomic questions involving beetles, and the choice of proper collecting methods is usually a difficult task. In this chapter, our objective is to provide information regarding the appropriate collecting methods for beetles relating to their habits and habitats. We structured the chapter grouping the methods according to beetle habitats (terrestrial, aquatic and semiaquatic, and subterranean), a specific topic for immatures, and mentioned collection methods for molecular studies. For each habitat, in which beetles live, we included active and passive collecting methods. We present 30 types of collecting methods that the collector can employ in beetle surveys. Furthermore, we provided information about the habit and habitat of 79 Coleoptera families. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of selecting the aims before sampling because each collecting method has advantages and disadvantages.