Survey of insect diversity for South East Farallon Island

Biologists from PRBO Conservation Science have been monitoring the ecology and populations of marine birds and mammals on the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge since 1968.  However, little attention has been paid to other wildlife such as insects.  Insects are a vital part of the ecology of the island as they interact with the vegetation and vertebrate life of the Farallons.  Over a 2-year period of seasonal trips, a collection of insects of the island has been categorized. The most diverse species are the Coleoptera, Diptera, and Lepidoptera.   Along with insect collection and identification, ground invertebrates have been counted utilizing transects along the island with 481 ¼ meter square boards and their abundance noted as it pertains to the future South Farallon mouse eradication project.  Invertebrates of interest due to gut contents of the mice have shown the presence of tenebrionids, isopods, and microcoryphia.  These insect percentages are as followed:  tenebrionids 60%, isopods 25%, and microcoryphia 15%, using the Shannon Wiener Index. This information will provide a baseline when the impact of the mice eradication is measured.