This text has already been edited by Mike:
Psocoptera – Barklice
Psocids are a common but relatively inconspicuous order of insects.
These tiny insects typically live among tree bark and other dry plant
matter. While they may have be winged or wingless, all of the
species found in Coal Oil Point thus far are winged. They feed on
fungi, lichen, and decaying plant debris, and along with many other
insects play an important role in cycling nutrients. They can be
gregarious or live alone. Some species spin silk in which they live. A
few are known to live communally in bird feathers and nests or
mammal fur, and some research has suggested they are the
ancestors of true lice.
Coal Oil Point is home to 6 species of psocids, all of which are
winged.
Neuroptera - Lacewings and Dustywings
Neuroptera is a common but not terribly diverse order of insects.
They are distinguishable by their densely veined membranous wings,
giving the appearance of "lace." Most species are voracious
predators, typically preying on plant pest insects such as aphids.
Because of this some neuropterans have been successfully used in
the biological control of crop pests. We have found two species of
lacewings and one species of dusty-wings at Coal Oil Point.
Diptera - True Flies
Diptera is both a very abundant and diverse order. As their name
suggests, Flies are excellent fliers. Unlike most insects, they only
have one set of membranous wings. Their hind wings have evolved
over time into structures known as “halteres,” small knob-like
apparatuses responsible for balance.
Fly larvae are found in a very wide variety of habitats, ranging from
soil and plant tissue to dead and living animal tissue. Adults feed
mainly on liquids, often from sweet or decaying sources. The most
infamous fly is undoubtedly the mosquito, the females of which must
take a blood meal each time before she lays her eggs. Because of
this trait, biting flies such as mosquitoes, black flies, and horse flies
serve as vectors of human and animal disease.
Flies are responsible for a great deal of the diversity at Coal Oil
Point, with over 120 species in the collection.
Dolichopodidae - Long-legged Flies
This family of flies is very common and found in marshy and meadow
habitats. They are named for their noticeably long and thin legs.
Though small, these flies may be quite attractive, exhibiting metallic
blue and green coloration. The adults are generally predaceous on
smaller insects, while the larvae may be found in moist soil, decaying
vegetation, or water depending on species. The Coal Oil Point
collection contains six morphospecies of Long-legged flies.
Syrphidae - Hoverflies
Hoverflies, or Flower-flies are a fairly common family of flies. They
are exceptional fliers and are generally found hovering around
flowers. Many species look strikingly similar to wasps or bees, though
Hoverflies do not have a “stinger.” The adults feed on flower nectar
and aphid honeydew. Their larvae are more diverse in habitat, some
of which scavenge in dung and decaying matter or graze on aphids
on plants, while others are aquatic. The Coal Oil Point collection
contains ten morphospecies of Hoverflies.
Agromyzidae - Leaf Miner Flies
Leaf miner flies are small flies generally found among vegetation.
They are called “leaf miners” because their tiny larvae live within
leaves. They eat the leaf from the inside, mining through it and
leaving behind winding brown trails. The Coal Oil Point collection
contains eight morphospecies of leaf miner flies.
Chloropidae - Frit Flies
This is a large and common family of rather small-sized flies. Both as
adults and as larvae Frit flies live either in decaying matter or in grass
stems and as such are found in grassy areas. The Coal Oil Point
collection has three morphospecies of Frit Flies.
Muscidae - House Flies
ThThis family includes many common flies, including House flies.
Muscids are relatively large and hairy. Some are predaceous as
adults, while most feed on dead plant and animal tissue, dung, and
even blood. Muscids that feed on blood such as the Tsetse fly are
important disease vectors. Though Tsetse fly is not in California, the
stable fly is a biting muscid that may be found in our area. The Coal
Oil Point collection contains nine morphospecies of Muscid flies.
Tachinidae - Tachinid Flies
Tachinidae is a very common and abundant family of flies. They tend
to be large and hairy, occasionally resembling bees. The larvae
parasitize other insects and as a result are very important in
controlling the abundance of pest species. The Coal Oil Point
collection contains eleven morphospecies of Tachnid flies.
Hymenoptera - Ants, Bees, and Wasps
Hymenoptera is a tremendously diverse order of insects, as well as
one of the best known orders. It includes all ants, bees, wasps, and
sawflies. Hymenoptera may have four membranous wings, or in the
case of worker ants, be wingless. The female members of this order
(apart from sawflies), have a “stinger.” The stinger is actually a
modified ovipositor (egg-laying organ). It is used both for defense and
often to inject venom, to paralyze or kill prey.
Another characteristic of this order is that its members are all
haplodiploid. This gives a mother the ability to choose the sex of her
offspring, because males only have one set of chromosomes
(developing from unfertilized eggs), while females have two. Adults of
this order mostly feed on nectar or honeydew, while their larvae may
feed on plant tissue, nectar, or other insects. Hymenoptera is one of
the only orders whose members may be social, living together in
communities of closely related family members. Ants and honeybees
are most commonly known for their sociality. It is thought that this
social behavior most likely evolved as a result of haplodiploidy.
The Coal Oil Point collection contains over 170 morphospecies of
Hymenoptera, most of which are small parasitic wasps. The wasps
account for a large portion of the collection’s overall diversity.
Ichneumonoidea - Braconids and Ichneumons
This is the largest superfamily within Hymenoptera, named for the
largest family, Ichneumonidae. Members range vastly in size from
minute to over 2 inches, and are essentially ubiquitous. The larger of
these wasps have very impressive ovipositors, though they rarely will
sting humans. The ovipositor is often used instead for paralyzing prey
which they feed to their larvae alive. These parasitoid larvae are very
important in controlling the abundances of pest insects. The Coal Oil
Point collection has over 50 species of Ichneumons and Braconids.
Chalcidoidea This group includes small to minute wasps with characteristically
reduced wing veination. These tiny wasps are generally parasitic on
other insects and as a result are very important in controlling the
abundance of pest insects. Some of these are even hyperparasites,
meaning that they parasitize other parasites. The Coal Oil Point
collection contains over 40 species of Chalcidoidea, including 10
species of Fairyflies (Mymaridae).
Proctotrupoidea - Proctotrupids, Diaprids, Scelionids, and
Platygasterids
This superfamily includes several types of small but very common
parasitoid wasps. As larvae, these wasps are parasitic on other
insects. Each species of wasp is generally a specialist in parasitizing
a particular group of insect. The Coal Oil Point collection includes 28
morphospecies of Proctotrupoidea, 19 of which are Scelionids.
Apoidea - Bees
Superfamily Apoidea includes all bees. Contrary to common
perceptions, most bees are solitary. The social honey bees and
bumble bees are in fact the major exceptions. Solitary bees live in
small nests in the ground or other natural cavities. Bees feed on
flower pollen or nectar and as a result play an invaluable role in
pollinating plants, including flowering crops such as cotton, fruits, and
vegetables. The Coal Oil Point Reserve collection includes ten
species of native bees, in addition to the nonnative European
honeybee.
Formicidae - Ants
The family Formicidae includes all ants. Ants live communally in
nests ranging in size from a dozen to several thousands of
individuals. Nests are found in the ground or in other natural cavities
and typically consist of one queen, many workers, and depending on
the season a small number of males. Depending on the species, ants
may be predaceous, phytophagous, or scavengers.
Coal Oil Point is home to five species of ants, including the highly
invasive Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile.)
The following text is new and has not been edited by Mike:
Isoptera – termites
Termites are well known pests for eating dead wood, often damaging
buildings, fences and other wooden structures. While this can be
more than a frustration for humans, the termites’ role in processing
and decomposing dead wood and vegetable material is tremendously
important for recycling these nutrients so that they can be used for
new plant tissue. Much of the breaking down of the wood is actually
done by symbiotic bacteria that live inside the termites’ guts.
Termites live in social colonies in nests of anywhere from several
hundred to several thousand individuals, which usually include a
queen, and both worker and soldier castes.
The Coal Oil Point Reserve collection contains two species of
termites.
Thysanoptera – thrips
Thrips are very small insects, typically between 0.5 and 2.0 mm long.
Their bodies are generally long and slender, and may or may not
have wings. When wings are present, they have a characteristically
hairy fringe. Thrips may also be recognized by their unique
asymmetrical sucking mouthparts, which look like a conical beak at
the base of the head. Thrips use these mouthparts to feed on plants,
fungus spores, or other small arthropods.
The Coal Oil Point Reserve collection contains three species of
thrips.
Orthoptera – grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids
Orthoptera is a very common order of relatively large insects. Their
forewings are usually long, thin and somewhat hard, while the hind
wings are broad, membranous and can be folded in a fan-like
manner beneath the forewings. They are not very strong fliers,
though they have large hindlegs which make them great jumpers.
Grasshoppers, crickets and katydids are voracious plant eaters, and
can be a significant agricultural pest. They are often known for their
chirping and “singing.” These sounds are created by males rubbing
their legs or wings on another body part and used to attract female
mates.
Aside from the Jerusalem cricket, all of the Orthoptera shown below
are immature.
Homoptera – aphids and planthoppers
Homoptera is a common order of small insects typically found on
plants. Like Hemiptera, they have long beaks, or proboscises with
which they pierce plant tissue and feed on the sap and fluid within.
Homoptera expel the undigested portion of sap from their anus,
producing a substance knwn as honeydew. The honeydew is used
to attract ants. These ants receive a meal and, in exchange, protect
the Homoptera.
Aphids are perhaps the most commonly known family within this
group. A group of aphids will feed on a plant, sometimes stunting its
growth and, with high infestation, can actually kill the plant.
Ladybugs, which feed on aphids, can be purchased at most garden
stores for use as a biological control agent. Homoptera can be
troublesome agricultural pests not only for the damage they do to the
plants by feeding from them but also for their ability to spread
disease among plants. Despite this, Homoptera are an important
food source for many birds, lizards, and predatorial insects (including
Flower Files*, Lacewings*, and Ladybird beetles*.)
The Coal Oil Point collection includes 24 species of Homoptera.
*link to pages
Cicadellidae – Leafhoppers
Cicadellidae is a very large and diverse family. They vary greatly in
size (3-13 mm,) color and markings. Leafhoppers feed on the leaves
of their host plant and most species feed on a specific type of plant.
Because of their feeding habits, they can be significant disease
vectors, transmitting fungal, bacterial, or viral diseases. The invasive
glassy winged sharpshooter, for example, transmits Pierce’s disease
between grapevines, making it a tremendous pest for both wine and
grape industries.
The Coal Oil Point Reserve collection contains 13 species of
Leafhoppers.
Heteroptera – True Bugs
Heteroptera is a very large and diverse order of insects. True bugs
are easily recognized by their front wings, known as hemelytra. The
basal half of the wings are thick and leathery, while the other half are
membranous. Like Homoptera, they have long beaks, or
proboscises as mouthparts. Some use these for feeding on plants,
while others are predators of other insects and a few even suck
blood. Most true bugs are terrestrial, though a good number are
aquatic.
The Coal Oil Point Reserve collection contains 24 species of true
bugs.
Miridae – Leaf Bugs
Miridae is the largest family of true bugs. They primarily live among
vegetation. Most leaf bugs feed on plants, while a few are
predaceous of other insects. (What else can I say about this group?)
The Coal Oil Point collection contains eight species of Leaf Bugs.
Embioptera – webspinners
Webspinners are a little known order of insects. They live in silklined colonies beneath soil and debris, and chiefly eat dead plant
matter. Webspinners have the ability to spin silk using glands on
their front legs as soon as they are hatched. Males of most species
have wings, however females are always wingless. Webspinners are
quite active and quick runners, usually running backward. When
disturbed in their homes, webspinners will often “play dead.”
Only one webspinner specimen has been found at Coal Oil Point
Reserve thus far.
Dermaptera – Earwigs
Earwigs are primarily nocturnal insects, hiding in crevices and debris
during the day. They feed primarily on decaying plant matter, though
a select few are predaceous. The name “earwig” comes from an old
superstition that they get stuck in people’s ears. This myth is
completely untrue.
Earwigs can be recognized by their characteristic rear pincers. Both
males and females have pincers, however the males’ are larger and
more rounded. These pincers are used as a defense, and can
deliver a painful pinch.
Only one earwig specimen has been found at Coal Oil Point Reserve
thus far.
Cecidomyiidae – gall midges
As larvae, most species of gall midges produce galls in plant stems
or leaves. They use these galls as both protection and a food
source. Species that do not make galls feed on plant tissue,
decaying vegetation or fungi. As adults, gall midges are small and
frail looking. They have long thin legs and antennae and are often
mistaken for mosquitoes, though they are completely harmless to
humans.
The Coal Oil Point Reserve collection has 12 species of gall midges.
Chironomidae – midges
Chironomidae is a large and common family of small flies. Midge
larvae are aquatic, and known as “bloodworms” for their distinctive
red color. This red color comes from hemoglobin, which stores
oxygen and allows the larvae to live in harsh, low oxygen waters.
Because of their abundance, bloodworms serve as a significant food
source for fish and other aquatic animals. As adults, midges can
also be seen congregating in large mating swarms near fresh water.
Because of their similar body type, midges are often mistaken for
mosquitoes though they do not bite.
The Coal Oil Point Reserve collection has 12 species of midges.
This text was written by Mike:
Collembola - Springtails
Springtails are a large order of minute insects. They take their
common name from a forked organ extending from the end of the
abdomen of most species that can be used to propel the insect
hundreds of body lengths away, putting them among the top ranked
insect jumpers.
Springtails may be incredibly abundant, occurring in great numbers
in and around wrack and other decaying vegetation. However,
because most are less than 2 mm in length, they are rarely noticed.
They are nonetheless among the most important scavengers at Coal
Oil Point, as well as in most terrestrial environments. We have found
four different species of springtails at the Reserve, though there are
doubtlessly more.
Archaeognatha - Jumping Bristletails
The jumping bristletails are an inconspicuous group, looking much
like their better known cousins, the silverfish. Like silverfish they are
wingless, scaly scavengers. Their main claim to fame is a remarkable
jumping ability. A braided cord-like muscle running the length of the
body can be rapidly contracted to pull the head and tail downward,
launching the insect several centimeters into the air. The scientific
name of the order means 'old mouth', referring to the relatively
primitive mouthparts of these insects. Archaeognatha is an extremely
ancient order, and are considered living fossils. We have identified a
single species at Coal Oil Point.
Odonata - Dragonflies & Damselflies
The 'odonates' are a well known group of exceptional aerialists.
These insects have attracted much popular attention, and they are
gaining on butterflies with their own 'watchers' groups. Dragonflies
and damselflies are predators in both the adult and immature stages.
The immatures are little aquatic monsters, with a grotesque
extensible lower lip ('labium') that is uses to snatch mobile prey
ranging from mosquito larvae to tadpoles and small fish.
Many biologists have become interested in the complex courtship
and mating behavior of odonates. Most are highly territorial, with
males staking out good oviposition sites, and defending them against
other males. After mating males will often maintain their hold on the
females to ensure she fertilizes eggs with his sperm before mating
again (some males can remove from females the sperm from
previous mates.)
We have only collected one dragonfly and one damselfly at Coal Oil
Point, but there are probably more. Their flying prowess keeps them
out of our simple traps.
Plecoptera - Stoneflies
Immature stoneflies (nymphs) are very common freshwater insects.
The tend to prefer colder streams, and their presence and
abundance is often used as a measure of stream health. Adult
stoneflies seldom feed, though they are fed upon by a wide variety of
aquatic animals and birds. Cold running water is in short supply at
Coal Oil Point, and this lone adult stonefly was a somewhat
surprising find. Its nymphs may live in the mainly freshwater
backdune pond to the west of our trapping site.
Coleoptera - Beetles
Beetles are the most diverse order of insects, and are generally
considered the most successful group of organisms on Earth.
Beetles are characterized by their modified forewings, called 'elytra',
which cover the hindwings when not in use. This adaptation has
allowed them to diversify into a great diversity of ecological niches,
with many plant feeders, predators, fungivores, and scavengers.
While many plant-feeding beetles are considered pests, many beetle
predators, especially ladybird beetles, are highly beneficial.
At Coal Oil Point, beetles can be found anywhere you look, from the
intertidal zone among the barnacles, to the sandy beach, up into the
dunes. The majority of these species are endemics of coastal
habitats, never being found even 100 meters inland. A beetle survey
was the initial focus of our Coal Oil Point work, and they are relatively
more thoroughly sampled than most of the other orders. One
hundred forty-four species of beetles have been found to live at Coal
Oil Point so far.
More information on California beetles can be found in the California
Beetle Project web pages.
Carabidae - Ground beetles
Ground beetles are conspicuous beetles worldwide. Essentially all
are predators, mostly fast running and nocturnal. The known ground
beetle fauna of the reserve consists of 12 species, though
interestingly only 2 of these, the tiger beetle Cicindela oregona, and
Bembidion tigrinum, are apparently restricted to coastal habitats. This
is a lower proportion than is seen in many other families. All others
represent more widespread species.
Histeridae - Clown beetles
Histerids are predatory beetles. But while fairly diverse and common
in many areas, they are seldom seen. They are small, generally
secretive beetles, spending most of their time underground. When
disturbed they can retract their head and appendages, much like a
tiny turtle.
Seven species of histerids have been found at Coal Oil Point, all but
one of which are coastal specialists. Most of these species are found
beneath beach wrack, where they prey on the eggs, larvae and
pupae of wrack breeding flies. A beautiful black and red dune
specialist, Spilodiscus sellatus, is suspected also to occur at the
Reserve. But it has not been confirmed yet. (Please let us know if
you're lucky enough to see it!)
Hydrophilidae - Water scavenger beetles
Most adult water scavenger beetles are, unsurprisingly, aquatic
scavengers. The Reserve's aquatic habitats include Devereax
slough, which hosts a couple of salt-tolerant hydrophilids. There are
also a few species found in the freshwater dune pond, as well as in
the vernal pools in the appropriate season. But not all hydrophilids
are aquatic. Probably the most common hydrophilid at Coal Oil Point
is Cercyon fimbriatus, which lives in rotting wrack.
Staphylinidae - Rove beetles
The rove beetles are the most diverse family of beetles in California,
with over 1200 known species. They are also the most diverse family
of beetles at Coal Oil Point, with 25 species. Adults and larvae are
mostly predators. The family is characterized by their long narrow
body, with very short wing covers exposing most of the abdomen.
Nearly half of the rove beetle species at Coal Oil Point are restricted
to coastal habitats. The most striking of these is Thinopinus pictus, a
predator of beach hoppers, and the wrack piles in general host many
of these endemics. A highly specialized flightless species of rove
beetle, Diaulota fulviventris, lives in the intertidal zones on barnacle
covered rocks. It survives tidal inundation by finding minute air
pockets in rock crevices.
Coccinellidae - Ladybird beetles
Ladybirds are among the best known and best-loved beetles. As
predators of plant feeding insects, especially aphids and other
homopterans, many species have been great allies in the fight
against agricultural pests. This has led to many ladybirds being
introduced outside their native ranges. Nearly one third of California's
180 ladybirds have been introduced from elsewhere.
Nineteen species of ladybirds have been found at Coal Oil Point.
Most of these are native, and most are also widespread species.
Unlike most beetle families, there don't appear to be any species
restricted to coastal habitats.
Tenebrionidae - Darkling beetles
With over 300 species, California is home to a great diversity of
darkling beetles. Members of this family are common everywhere,
but especially in drier areas. Flightless 'stink beetles' in the genus
Eleodes are conspicuous in a variety of habitats throughout the state.
But while these large, slow beetles exemplify the family in some
ways, many Californian darkling beetles look nothing like these.
Coal Oil Point is home to at least 7 species of darkling beetles,
including several coastal specialists. The small, ladybird-like Phaleria
rotundata is found only in sandy coastal areas, as are Epantius
obscurus and two species in the genus Coelus. One of these, the
Globose Dune beetle (Coelus globosus) has become rare throughout
its range, and is a state 'species of concern'. The two species of
Coelus are difficult to tell apart, but C. globosus is usually slightly
larger, and has the 'clypeus' (a part of the head above the mouth)
more deeply cut-out, as shown in the picture below.
Chrysomelidae - Leaf beetles
As their common name suggests, leaf beetles are plant feeding
beetles. Most are colorful, conspicuous beetles, frequently restricted
in their feeding to one or a few similar plant species.
While 10 species of leaf beetles are known from Coal Oil Point, none
seem to be restricted to coastal habitats. Some, like the Cucumber
beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) are very widespread. One
species of particular interest is the eucalyptus feeding Trachymela
sloanei. This species was newly (and accidentally) introduced to our
area from its native Australia in just the past few years. For fans of
non-native eucalyptus, this beetle is considered a pest. For others
who consider eucalyptus itself an invasive pest, the beetle is a
welcome ally.
Curculionidae - Weevils or Snout beetles
Weevils are practically defined by their 'snout'. This elongated portion
of the head bears the mandibles and other mouthparts at its tip. This
is used by the females of most species to chew holes into plant
material in which they lay their eggs. Adults and larvae of all weevils
are plant feeders. The group also contains the notorious bark beetles
(formerly recognized as a separate family Scolytidae). With over 600
species in California, the weevils are our second most diverse family
of beetles (behind Staphylinidae).
Coal Oil Point hosts 7 species of true weevils (Curculionidae), in
addition to two species in more primitive weevil families (on each of
Anthribidae and Brentidae). Coastal specialist weevils include the
dune inhabiting Trigonoscuta, and the driftwood feeding Elassoptes
marinus.
Lepidoptera - Butterflies & Moths
The Lepidoptera is characterized by their scaly wings, which is what
'lepid-optera' means. While butterflies are much better known, they
are vastly outnumbered by their moth relatives. The differences
between these groups is often emphasized (butterflies being dayflying, brightly colored, and having knobbed antennae), but they
share many more similarities. All develop from a plant-feeding
caterpillar, which transforms into a pupa (or 'chrysalis' as the butterfly
pupa is generally called) on its way to becoming a winged adult.
The butterfly fauna (25 species) of Coal Oil Point is well known
thanks to the efforts of local enthusiast Nick Lethaby, who provided
our species list. The moths at the Reserve have not been as well
studied. Though we've collected many, the malaise trapped
specimens are difficult to identify. Some additional moth-specific
collecting will be needed to develop a good idea of their diversity.
Siphonaptera - Fleas
Fleas are notorious pests. They are wingless, high-jumping blood
suckers, well known to dog and cat owners everywhere. They have
also been implicated as vectors of a number of human diseases,
most notably bubonic plague (transmitted from rodents to humans by
flea bites). Though in reality most fleas are harmless and ubiquitous
cohabitants of birds and small mammals, most people will be
disconcerted to learn that plague does in fact occur in California, and
is rarely but occasionally transmitted to people by fleas from ground
squirrels. This is not a major concern at Coal Oil Point, but
awareness and caution is always advisable (visit the CDC for more
information).
The lone flea we have found at Coal Oil Point was in the opening of
pocket gopher burrow.
Arachnids and other arthropods
While this site deals mainly with insects, a large number of non-insect
arthropods can also be found at Coal Oil Point. These are also
important elements of the Reserve's ecology, though we know too
little about them to do them justice here. The Reserve's spider and
mite fauna appears especially diverse, and we show a few examples
of these arachnids here.
Most reserve visitors also encounter beach hoppers, which belong to
a group of crustaceans known as Amphipods. These scavengers are
associated with wrack piles and other beach debris.