Seasonal Patterns of Abundance of Tundra Arthropods near Barrow

Abstract

Arthropods active on the surface of the tundra near Barrow, Alaska, were trapped throughout four summer seasons (1966-1969), using "sticky-board" traps. More than 95% of the arthropods (excluding Acarina and Collembola) captured were of the order Diptera. Adults of most species of Diptera emerged in the middle two weeks of July; the abundance of arthropods on the tundra surface was maximal at that time. Year-to-year variations in abundance of various arthropod taxa are related to prevailing weather conditions and to the cycle of tundra disturbance and recovery associated with the abundance of brown lemmings.