Inecta associated with Moose (Akes alces) carcasse on Isle Royale
National Biosphere Reserve, MI.

Joshua J Felsk
School of Science and Natural Resources
Lake Superior State University

Ahstract:	Isle RoyaIe's isolation makes it an ideal living laboratory for wildlife biologists.
The past half century has seen extensive research of Isle Royal's Wolf-Moose relationship
and documentation of many of its other species. The National Park Service has available a
listing of most species known to inhabit the island. This information does not contain any
listings for the class Insecta. I began a documentation of insects found on Isle Royale
National Park by examining a micro-ecosystem within the whole ecosystem. Three Moose
(Alces alces) carcasses were sampled from June 5, 1996 until August 21, 1996. Each
carcass was sampled every two weeks for a total of 7 collection times at each carcass.
Insects were randomly collected by hand from each carcass for one half hour at each
visitation. First the sample was taken from the undisturbed exposed areas ofthe carcass.
Then a sample was taken from the main body cavity of the carcass after it had been turned
over. Insects were identified by using multiple published keys and by comparison to
insects in the Montana State University's collection. Immature Coleoptera were identified
using a computer program by LabTech Corp. A total of 22 species were collected over
the summer. Most ofthese were ofthe Orders Coleoptera and Diptera. Some of the
major families identified were Histeridae Carabidae Staphylimdae, Silphidae, and
Calliphoridae. These families show less diversity in species when compared to a similar
study done with Bison (Bison bison) in Yellowstone National Park, MT.
A complete listing and understanding of insects and their function in Isle Royale's
ecosystem would help understand and possibly manage other ecosystems.

Selected References

Anderson J.M. Heal O.W., Swift M.J 1979. Decomposition in Terrestrial Ecosystems.
University of California Press. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA. pp 66- 112

Putman, R.J  I 983 Carrion and Dung. Edward Arnold (Publishers) Limited Bedford
square London pp 30-44