The distribution and abundance of predatory Coleoptera overwintering in field boundaries

Soil samples were taken over the period December - February in 1981-82 and in 1982-83 from four types of field boundaries on farmland in Hampshire to estimate the distribution and abundance of overwintering polyphagous predatory Coleoptera. Supplementary data were obtained from surface searches in four types of field boundaries on farmland in Essex. Different species of predators occurred in significantly higher numbers in specific types of field boundaries but in Hampshire, hedge banks and shelterbelts were more attractive as overwintering sites than grass banks or grass strips for most species and in Essex a combined grass bank, ditch and hedge boundary was more suitable than other boundary types for three of the four species studied.