Insect populations are declining globally, driven largely by agricultural intensification—characterized by habitat loss, monocultures, and widespread agrichemical use. In the Upper Midwest, these pressures are exacerbated by the conversion of native prairie into cropland and simplified pasture systems. Among the most affected are pollinators and decomposers, such as bees (Hymenoptera) and dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), which provide essential ecosystem services including pollination, nutrient cycling, pest suppression, and soil aeration. These services are critical for sustaining biodiversity and supporting long-term agricultural productivity. Rotational grazing is often promoted as a conservation-friendly alternative to continuous grazing, with the potential to increase landscape heterogeneity and improve forage quality. When well-managed, it can enhance floral diversity and arthropod habitat, benefitting both ecological health and farm performance. However, its conservation value depends on how intensively it is implemented. Despite widespread interest in rotational grazing, few studies have directly evaluated the effects of different rotational intensities. Grazing intensity is shaped by a range of management practices, but grazing duration is a commonly used metric and plays a significant role in determining vegetation structure and resource availability. This study investigates how variation in grazing duration influences the abundance and community composition of Hymenoptera and Scarabaeinae. Understanding how different grazing regimes impact these key arthropod groups is critical for developing pasture-based systems that balance agricultural productivity with biodiversity conservation.
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