Abstract
The abundance of Coleoptera, the darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) and the ground beetles (Carabidae) was investigated in the College of Agric. Experimental and Research Station Farm at Dairab in the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during 1982 and 1983. Habitats studied include fig, grapevine and citrus orchards together with a harvested wheat field and a natural desert site. Pitfall trapping indicated that tenebrionid populations far exceeded those of carabids in all habitats under investigation. Wheat field and fig habitats showed significantly the greatest number of beetles recovered. The most dominant species in all habitats was the tenebrionid Ocnera hispida (Forsk.). The seasonal abundance of both families declined severely with the onset of cold weather (Dec.-Jan.), gradually increasing with the advent of the shorter spring (Feb.) and reaching its climax in activity and abundance during the hot weather (April-May).