Seasonal shifts in ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) species and functional composition maintain prey consumption in Western Oregon agricultural landscapes
Larger ground beetles tend to consume more sentinel prey than smaller beetles. Monthly, species specific prey consumption was correlated with activity density. Midsize beetles were the most active size class during the spring and early summer. Large beetles were the most active size class during late summer to fall. Prey consumption in the field was correlated with the most active size class.