The California biodiversity initiative is an ongoing project to document the State's rich but still poorly understood insect fauna.
In collaboration with the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the National Parks Service since 2003, the California State Collection of Arthropods (CSCA) and CDFA Herbarium (CDA) maintain a blanket permit for collecting insects and plants throughout the California State Parks system, including the joint Redwood National and State Parks. Although much is known of our state's flora and vertebrate fauna, there is limited knowledge regarding the insects and other arthropods that abound here. To better understand the biodiversity of invertebrates within California, the CSCA has teamed up with the State Parks system and a small team of collaborators (including some of our Research Associates) to do this small scale survey work, typically focusing collecting efforts on several parks each year. These surveys are intended to provide useful data on the composition, distribution, and biological affinities of California's arthropods through extensive but non-destructive sampling protocols, including various trapping methods. Smaller efforts include day or multi-day trips to collect by sweepnet or other methods. The State Parks have critical representation of the native California flora and fauna, so it is critical to understand and preserve this resource for future generations of Californians.
Our California State Park system displays and protects beautiful places with many active, untold wonders. With this initiative, we hope to reveal some of these wonders so that they (and the Parks) are more fully appreciated and understood. At the CSCA, we are happy to share what we learn with others, especially with those who hold our natural areas in high esteem.
Research Associate Charlie O'Brien collected beetles in this park in March 2009. Among the taxa collected are: Coleoptera: Curculionidae ( Apleurus albovestitus Casey, Dorytomus sp., Ophryastes sp., Trigonoscuta rozeni Pierce), Lampyridae (Nelsonphotus aridus Cicero), Meloidae ( Cordylospasta opaca (Horn)). The diurnal firefly Nelsonphotus aridus Cicero, was targeted but not collected, but should be added to the faunal list as it was sighted on the Palm Canyon trail by Joyce Gross in Spring some years ago. Regarding species that were collected: Cordylospasta opaca was active in the early morning; the Dorystomus sp. was collected on Salix sp. (Salicaceae, willow); Trigonoscuta rozeni was collected on Oenothera deltoides (Onagraceae; dune primrose) and on Larria tridentata (Zygophyllaceae; creosote bush); the species of Peritlini was collected on Encelia farinosa (Asteraceae, brittlebush).
Steve Gaimari collected on intertidal rocks and on algal wracks along the beach in February 2006. Taxa collected include Diptera: Canacidae (Canaceoides nudatus), Coelopidae (Coelopa vanduzeei), Dolichopodidae (Paraphrosylus praedator, Paraphrosylus sp., Melanderia curvipes), Ephydridae (Scatella sp.), Sphaeroceridae (Thoracochaeta johnsoni, Thoracochaeta arnaudi).
Collaborator Laurens van der Leij (Netherlands) collected here in August 2005 while on a bike trip through northern California. His collections included Diptera: Syrphidae (Cheilosia latrans).
The North American Dipterists Society held their field meeting in Crescent City in June 2009. Collections from this park include: Diptera: Anthomyzidae (Anthomyza sp.), Coelopidae (Coelopa sp.), Drosophilidae (Scaptomyza sp.), Empididae (Empis (Enoplempis) sp., Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) sp.), Heleomyzidae (Trixoscelis sp.), Lonchopteridae (Lonchoptera sp.).
Collections were made in October by collaborator Steve Lew (UC Berkeley), including the following taxa of spiders (Araneae): Agelenidae (Hololena sp.), Amaurobiidae (Callobius olympus, Callobius sp.), Araneidae (Araneus sp., Larinioides sp.), Corinnidae(Meriola sp.), Hahniidae (Calymmaria lora, Calymmaria sp.), Linyphiidae (Arcuphantes sp., Microlinyphia sp.).
The North American Dipterists Society held their field meeting in Crescent City in June 2009. Collections from this park include: Diptera: Agromyzidae (Cerodontha dorsalis (Loew)), Anthomyzidae (Anthomyza sp.), Asilidae (Lasiopogon sp.), Chamaemyiidae (Chamaemyia sp.), Clusiidae (Clusiodes johnsoni Malloch), Drosophilidae (Scaptomyza sp.), Heleomyzidae (Trixoscelis sp.), Lauxaniidae (Minettia flaveola (Coquillett)), Lonchopteridae (Lonchoptera sp.), Opomyzidae (Opomyza sp.), Syrphidae (Baccha elongata (Fabricius); Toxomerus occidentalis Curran), Tabanidae (Tabanus aegrotus Osten Sacken).
Collaborator Peter Cranston (UC Davis) spent time in 2005 in this park collecting midges. Among the taxa collected were Diptera: Chironomidae (Ablabesmyia sp., Brillia sp., Conchapelopia sp., Cricotopus sp., Endotribelos sp., Heterotrissocladius sp., Parametriocnemus sp., Zavrelimyia sp.).
Collections in this park were made by collaborator Phil Ward, as part of the Santa Monica Mountains NRA BioBlitz on 30-31 May 2008. Among the taxa collected were: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae (Dorymyrmex bicolor, Dorymyrmex insanus), Formicinae (Camponotus dumetorum), Myrmicinae (Crematogastercalifornica, Pogonomyrmex subnitidus (omnivorous, including seed harvesting), Solenopsisxyloni) Most of the species above having nesting habits in the ground, with omnivore/scavenger feeding habits, with one exception annotated above. Images of these and other California ant species can be seen on the "California Ants" page of AntWeb.
Collaborator Phil Ward spent time in March, 2008, collecting ants in this State Park, including: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae (Liometopumoccidentale (arboreal), Tapinoma sessile); Ecitoninae (Neivamyrmexcalifornicus (predatory)); Formicinae (Camponotusdumetorum, Camponotusessigi (arboreal), Camponotushyatti, Camponotusmaritimus, Camponotusquercicola (arboreal), Camponotussemitestaceus, Camponotusvicinus, Formicamoki, Formicasubelongata, Formicasubpolita, Prenolepis imparis; Myrmicinae (Crematogastercoarctata, Crematogastermarioni, Messorandrei (omnivore/scavenger and seed harvester), Pheidolecalifornica (omnivore/scavenger and seed harvester), Pogonomyrmex subdentatus (omnivore/scavenger and seed harvester), Solenopsis molesta, Stenammacalifornicum (predatory), Stenammadiecki (predatory), Stenammadiecki (inland form) (predatory), Stenammapunctatoventre (predatory), Temnothorax gallae (arboreal), Temnothorax sp. CA-03 (nr. rugatulus) (arboreal)); Pseudomyrmeciinae (Pseudommyrmex apache (arboreal)). Most of the species above having nesting habits in the ground, with omnivore/scavenger feeding habits, with one exception annotated above. A total of 27 ant species was recorded from the park, although sampling was not comprehensive and the actual total could be expected to be several times this. Images of these and other California ant species can be seen on the "California Ants" page of AntWeb.
Collections were made in November, 2005, by collaborator Steve Lew (UC Berkeley), including the following taxa of spiders (Araneae): Amaurobiidae (Callobius rothi), Cybaeidae (Cybaeus sp.), Hahniidae (Calymmaria sp.), Segestriidae (Segestria sp.).
Following is a list of ants known for this park, compiled by Collaborator Phil Ward: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae (Linepithema humile*, Liometopumoccidentale (arboreal)), Formicinae (Camponotusessigi (arboreal), Camponotushyatti, Camponotusmaritimus, Camponotussemitestaceus, Camponotusvicinus, Formicaargentea, Formicamoki, Formicanevadensis, Formicaxerophila, Formicasubpolita, Formica sp. CA01, Polyergus breviceps (predatory), Prenolepis impairs), Myrmicinae (Aphaenogasteroccidentalis, Crematogastercoarctata, Messorandrei (omnivore/scavenger and seed harvester), Monomorium ergatogyna, Pheidolecalifornica (omnivore/scavenger and seed harvester), Solenopsis molesta, Stenammadiecki (predatory), Stenammapunctatoventre (predatory), Stenammasnellingi (predatory), Temnothorax andrei, Temnothorax gallae (arboreal), Temnothoraxnevadensis, Temnothorax nitens, Temnothorax rudis). Images of these and other California ant species can be seen on the "California Ants" page of AntWeb. Phil Ward and colleagues spent time in May, 2009, with the Bay Area Ant Group collecting ants in this State Park, at two main localities.
On the International Trail on the north slope of West Peak (680m, 37‘55.7'N 122‘35.7'W), a diverse assemblage of native ant species was encountered in forest containing the following plant species: Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus wislizenii (var. frutescens), Quercus chrysolepis, Umbellularia californica, Arbutus menziesii, Lithocarpus densiflorus and Torreya californica.
Observed ants included: three species of Formica (Formica argentea, Formica subpolita, Formica sp. CA01); two species of Camponotus (Camponotus essigi and Camponotus vicinus); and the following ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae: Aphaenogaster occidentalis, Crematogaster coarctata, Monomorium ergatogyna, Solenopsis molesta, Stenamma punctatoventre, Stenamma snellingi, Temnothorax nitens and Temnothorax rudis. These ant species are typical of low to medium elevation forest in cooler coastal regions and in montane environments of the Sierra Nevada. Although they were searching for Polyergus breviceps, a slave-making ant, they did not find any, although two of the Formica species (F. argentea, F. subpolita) are potential hosts (slaves).
At the Rocky Point-Steep Ravine Campground (15m, 37‘53.0'N 122‘37.7'W), they searched for ants in coastal scrub dominated by Baccharis pilularis and Artemisia californica. Unfortunately they found that the area has been invaded by the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, which is an exotic species in California, and it aggressively eliminates most native ant species. True to this pattern, they encountered only one other ant species, Monomorium ergatogyna, a native species that is known to be somewhat resistant to displacement by Linepithema humile. The coastal scrub at Rocky Point could be expected to support 10-15 species of native ants. Thus, the presence of the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) in this area is associated with a severe depletion of the indigenous ant fauna. Queens of Linepithema humile have poor dispersal capabilities, being incapable of flight. Long-distance dispersal is mostly due to humans, who inadvertently transport nests in potted plants and other materials. The presence of Linepithema humile at Rocky Point is likely due to human activities.
Collaborator Peter Cranston (UC Davis) spent time in 2005 in this park collecting midges. Among the taxa collected were Diptera: Chironomidae (Orthocladius (Euorthocladius) luteipes, Parachaetocladius sp., Lopescladius sp.)
Collaborator Phil Ward (UC Davis) spent time in June, 2007, collecting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in this State Park. Collections were made at Boucher Lookout and along Boucher Trail and Adams Trail, in mixed coniferous forest with Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, Calocedrus decurrens, Abies concolor, Quercus kelloggii and Q. chrysolepis. A total of 16 ant species was recorded from the park, although sampling was not comprehensive and the actual total could be expected to be several times this. Following is a list of the species collected - please note the following abbreviations for Nesting habits (A=arboreal, G=ground) and Feeding habits (O=omnivore/scavenger, P=predator, S=seed harvester):
Most of the species above having nesting habits in the ground, with omnivore/scavenger feeding habits, with the exceptions annotated above. The ant fauna of Palomar Mountain State Park appears to consist primarily of thermophilic species, characteristic of the so-called Sonoran life zone. Typical examples are Crematogaster hespera, Formica moki, Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and Temnothorax andrei. There are also a few species typically of cooler and more northern locations, including Lasius pallitarsus and Stenamma sp. cf. snellingi. Two unusual species of ants found at Palomar Mountain State Park are worth highlighting. Amblyopone pallipes is a subterranean ant, infrequently encountered in California, which is a specialist predator on geophilomorph centipedes. Myrmica punctinops is a recently described species, endemic to California, and known from only three other localities (in Los Angeles and Monterey Counties). It belongs to a genus of ants that is primarily boreal in distribution. No introduced species of ants were seen at Palomar Mountain State Park Salt Point State Park. Potential invaders include the Argentine ant (Linepithem humile) and the pavement ant (Tetramorium caespitum).
Collections were made using Malaise traps between June through August 2008 by Senior Insect Biosystematist Peter Kerr. The trap catches are still being processed, but so far have yielded the following species: Diptera: Diadocidiidae (Diadocidia borealis Coquillet), Ditomyiidae (Symmerus coqulus Garrett), Keroplatidae (Platyura sp., Rocetelion sp.), Pediciidae: (Pedicia parvicellula Alexander), Mycetophilidae (Acnemia sp., Acomoptera sp., Boletina erythropyga Holmgren, Boletina spp., Brevicornu sp., Cordyla spp., Ectrepesthoneura sp., Exechia sp., Exechiopsis sp., Hadroneura sp., Leia sp., Mycetophila sp., Mycomya sp., Phthinia sp., Sceptonia sp., Synapha sp.)
Collaborator Laurens van der Leij (Netherlands) collected here in August 2005 while on a bike trip through northern California. His collections included Diptera: Syrphidae (Allograpta micrura, Baccha elongata, Chalcosyrphus nemorum, Eristalis arbustorum, Eristalis hirtus, Eupeodes fumipennis, Melanostoma mellinum, Platycheirus hesperius, Platycheirus stegnoides, Platycheirus stegnus, Sericomyia chalcopyga, Toxomerus marginatus, Toxomerus occidentalis)
The North American Dipterists Society held their field meeting in Crescent City in June 2009. Collections from this park include: Diptera: Anthomyzidae (Anthomyza sp.), Drosophilidae (Scaptomyza sp.), Empididae (Empis (Enoplempis) spp., Rhamphomyia sp.), Lonchopteridae (Lonchoptera sp.), Opomyzidae (Geomyza sp.)
Collaborator Alex Van Dam and Research Associate Penny Gullan (both UC Davis), collected scales in this State Park in May, 2007. The following scale was collected off of Cylindropuntia cactus: Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae (Dactylopius tomentosus).
Collaborator Demian Kondo and Research Associate Penny Gullan (both UC Davis), collected scales in this State Park in May, 2004. Material from this collecting effort led to the publication of the following paper:
Kondo, T., Gullan, P.J., Miller, D.R. 2004. A new hypogeal species of Oregmopyga Hoy (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) from southern California, U.S.A., and a key to species of the genus. Zootaxa 784: 1-12. (open access )
The taxon described from this effort was Hemiptera: Eriococcidae (Oregmopyga viscosa Kondo). Other taxa collected include Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae (Dactylopius sp.), Margarodidae (Steatococcus n.sp.), Pseudococcidae (Phenacoccus nr. dicoriae).
Collaborator Demian Kondo and Research Associate Penny Gullan (both UC Davis), collected scales in this State Park in May, 2004. Material from this collecting effort led to the publication of the following paper:
Kondo, T., Gullan, P.J., Miller, D.R. 2004. A new hypogeal species of Oregmopyga Hoy (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) from southern California, U.S.A., and a key to species of the genus. Zootaxa 784: 1-12. (open access )
The taxon described from this effort was Hemiptera: Eriococcidae (Oregmopyga viscosa Kondo). Other taxa collected include Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae (Dactylopius sp.), Margarodidae (Steatococcus n.sp.), Pseudococcidae (Phenacoccus nr. dicoriae).
Collaborator Laurens van der Leij (Netherlands) collected here in August 2005 while on a bike trip through northern California. His collections included Diptera: Syrphidae (Allograpta micrura, Eristalis hirtus, Eristalis tenax, Eupeodes fumipennis, Melanostoma mellinum, Platycheirus stegnus, Sphaerophoria opinator, Sphaerophoria sulphuripes, Toxomerus marginatus, Toxomerus occidentalis).
Collaborator Phil Ward spent time in July, 2005, collecting ants in this State Park. Phil commented that the ant fauna of Salt Point State Park appears to be typical of the northern California coastal region. Several Canadian zone (boreal) species occur in the park such as Formica aserva, Formica neorufibarbis and Lasius pallitarsis. These coexist with species having a more southerly distribution such as Camponotus hyatti, Crematogaster coarctata, Formica subelongata, and Hypoponera opacior. Strongly thermophilic species (e.g., Dorymyrmex insanus, Formica moki, Messor andrei, Pheidole californica and Solenopsis xyloni), which occur just a few kilometers inland, are apparently absent from the park. No introduced species of ants were seen at Salt Point State Park. Potential invaders include the Argentine ant (Linepithem humile) and the pavement ant (Tetramorium caespitum). Among the taxa collected are Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae (Tapinomasessile), Formicinae (Camponotus hyatti, Camponotus vicinus, Formicaaccreta, Formicaargentea, Formicaaserva, Formicalasioides, Formicaneorufibarbis, Formicasubelongata, Formicasubpolita, Lasius alienus, Lasius pallitarsis), Myrmicinae (Aphaenogaster occidentalis, Crematogastercoarctata, Solenopsis molesta, Stenamma diecki, Temnothoraxnevadensis, Temnothoraxrugatulus), Ponerinae (Hypoponera opacior).
A group of systematists from the Plant Pest Diagnostics Center were allowed access to this area soon after it's designation as a State Park, and before public access was allowed. Collections were made in April, 2006, including the following taxa of Coleoptera: Bruchidae (Acanthoscelides sp.), Buprestidae (Anthaxia (Melanthaxia) sp. ), Cantharidae (Cantharis sp., Silis sp.), Kateretidae (Heterhelus sericans), Melyridae (Amecocerus sp.), Mordellidae (Mordellisterna sp.), Tenebrionidae (Mycetochara sp., Notibius sp.); Diptera: Asilidae (Machimus occidentalis, Lestomyia sp.), Sciomyzidae (Dictya montana; Sepedon pacifica), Syrphidae (Ceriana sp., Cheilosia sp., Eupeodes volucris, Sphaerophoria sulphuripes, Syrphus opinator, Scaeva pyrastri, Toxomerus occidentalis); Hemiptera: Miridae (Irbisia sp.); Lepidoptera: Adelidae (Adela sp.), Papilionidae (Battus philenor, Papilio zelicaon), Pieridae (Anthocaris sara, Colias eurytheme), Nymphalidae (Vanessa atalanta, Vanessa cardui), Hesperidae (Erynnis sp.); Odonata: Aeshnidae (Anax junius, Rhionaeschna multicolor), Coenagrionidae(Argia vivida, Enallagma civile), Libellulidae (Sympetrum corruptum).
The North American Dipterists Society held their field meeting in Crescent City in June 2009. Collections from this park by Steve Gaimari, Martin Hauser, and others, include: Diptera: Agromyizdae (Cerodontha dorsalis (Loew)), Anthomyzidae (Anthomyza sp.), Asilidae (Lasiopogon bivittatus Loew; Machimus occidentalis (Hine)), Carnidae (Meoneura forcipata Sabrosky), Chloropidae (Eribolus nearcticus Sabrosky), Drosophilidae (Scaptomyza sp.), Empididae (Microphorus sp.; Rhamphomyia sudigeronis Coquillett), Ephydridae (Psilopa compta (Meigen)), Heleomyzidae (Anorostoma maculatum Darlington; Pseudoleria sp.; Trixoscelis sp.), Lauxaniidae (Minettia flaveola (Coquillett)), Lonchopteridae (Lonchoptera sp.), Opomyzidae (Opomyza sp.), Scatopsidae (Rhegmoclemina bimaculatum (Melander)), Syrphidae (Toxomerus marginatus (Say)), Tabanidae (Chrysops pechumani Philip), Tethinidae (Pelomyia occidentalis Williston; Tethina milichioides (Melander)).
Collections in this park were made by collaborator Phil Ward, as part of the Santa Monica Mountains NRA BioBlitz on 30-31 May 2008. Among the taxa collected were: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae (Dorymyrmex insanus, Liometopum occidentale (arboreal), Linepithema humile*, Tapinoma sessile), Formicinae (Camponotus clarithorax (ground nesting and arboreal), Prenolepis impairs), Myrmicinae (Cardiocondyla mauritanica*, Crematogastermarioni (arboreal), Stenamma californicum (predatory), Stenamma punctatoventre (predatory), Temnothorax andrei), Pseudomyrmecinae – Pseudomyrmex apache (arboreal). Most of the species above having nesting habits in the ground, with omnivore/scavenger feeding habits, with the exceptions annotated above. Of these species, two are introduced species (*) and the remainder are indigenous.Of the two introduced species, Cardiocondyla mauritanica was encountered once, in grassland. This is a small inconspicuous species that does not dominate ant communities. The other, Linepithema humile (the Argentine ant) was seen at several sampling sites, and is a notorious invasive species that eliminates most native ants in sites that it has colonized. The sites with Argentine ants had few other species of ants, and is a serious threat to the native ant fauna where it occurs. It thrives in areas that receive summer irrigation. Images of these and other California ant species can be seen on the "California Ants" page of AntWeb.
The North American Dipterists Society held their field meeting in Crescent City in June 2009. Collections from this park by Steve Gaimari, Owen Lonsdale and Brad Sinclair include: Diptera: On barnacles: Dryomyzidae (Oedoparena glauca (Coquillett)), Dolichopodidae (Melanderia mandibulata Aldrich; Paraphrosylus direptor (Wheeler); Paraphrosylus nigripennis (Van Duzee)); On washed up kelp on beach: Anthomyiidae (Fucellia spp.), Coelopidae (Coelopa vanduzeei Cresson), Tethinidae (Neopelomyia rostrata (Hendel); Tethina milichioides (Melander)); Sweeping vegetation above beach: Heleomyzidae (Trixoscelis sp.), Psilidae (Psila washingtona Melander), Tethinidae (Pelomyia occidentalis Williston)
