S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 57. (Budapest, 1996)

Site 5. Oak forest (S-5) — The age of oak is about 100 years. Shrub level is abundant. Dominant plant species are Quercus cerris, Qu. pubescens, Acer campestre, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Melica uniflora, Viola odorata, Dactylis polygama, Brachipodium silvaticum, Lithospermum purpureo-coeroleum, Geum urbanum. Several sampling techniques were used in respect to the life-form diversity of the species. 1. The most efficient method was singling. 2. Dung inhabiting species were sampled by soaking. Dung was placed in a plastic vessel, filled with water slowly and the escaping beetles were captured. This method is especially useful for collecting Aphodius beetles. 3. Glass pitfall traps filled with diluted ethylene-glycol were used in several cases. It is an appropriate method to collect bigger species like Geotrupes spp. Individuals of smaller species were usually destroyed in this sampling device. 4. In some cases it was possible to catch Aphodius distinctus and A. prodromus by netting. 5. Smell trap is one of the best tools to collect Cetonia, Liocola and Potosia species. Banana, honey and water were mixed and fermented for 3-4 days. Sawdust was placed in a plastik net, saturated with this mixture and hanged on trees. 6. Two light traps with 250 W bulb were used in 1992. One of them was applied nearby the University, the second one at the hunting lodge of Valkó. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 99 Scarabaeoidea species of about 1800 individuals were found during the four-year long sampling period in the region of Gödöllő. (For species list consult Appendix.) The cumulative number of species collected rose year by year. Therefore, it became clear, that the occurrence of some more species is expected in the future. Comparing numbers of species found in the whole country and near Gödöllő, it is very likely that most or all species from the following genera are caught already: Lucanus, Dorcus, Platycerus, Aesalus, Trox, Bolbelasmus, Odontaeus, Geotrupes, Lethrus, Oxyomus, Pleurophorus, Sisyphus, Copris, Oniticellus, Caccobius, Onthophagus, Maiadéra, Amphimallon, Melolontha, Polyphylla, Phyllopertha, Oryctes, Epicometis, Oxythyrea, Cetonia, Liocola, Potosia, Valgus, Trichius. The number of species collected from this relatively small area is 53% of the whole Hungarian fauna (Ádám 1994, Endrödi 1956). It is more than the number of Scarabeoidea species (88) found at the Hortobágy National Park (Ádám 1981) but less than that (122) found Kiskunság National Park (Ádám 1987). The number of species found at different localities: S-l: 67, S-2: 46, S-3: 33, S-4: 14, S-5: 14. High number of Scarabaeidae was discovered at sampling place S-l, most probably because of the abundant food resources. Remarkable is the absence of Lucanidae and Trogidae species at this locality. Lowest species richness was recorded at sampling places S-4, and S-5. It has to be pointed out, however, that the most protected or endangered species were found in these habitats.