Insect survey stations were set up along the elevation gradient from the rim to the bottom of the canyon. Visitors to Walnut Canyon can catch a glimpse of the bottom from the Island Trail, but the insects below are usually too small to see. However, monitoring the stations found a significant increase in insect biodiversity as we descended into the valley.

To date, we have collected over 6,000 insect specimens and uploaded over 650 images. BugGuide.net. After identification, specimen images and GPS locations are uploaded to the Arizona State University portal. ecdysis.org.

Many of these insect species are first records for Coconino County, others are new to Arizona, and some are new. Using our insect database, we can reconstruct a list of insects that lived in this habitat during the Native American occupation of Walnut Canyon over 1,000 years ago.

This column is accompanied by photographs of some selected species. A portion has been reprinted in this newspaper edition, and the rest can be viewed online by searching for “Gary Alpert” at azdailysun.com.

We now consider the canyons at the bottom of Walnut Canyon to be a refuge and a place to support isolated or residual populations of once more widespread species communities. The term ‘refuge’ here refers to areas that have the potential to provide relative climate stability in the face of climate change.

Much has changed in the Walnut Creek Valley in recent decades. Before Lake Mary was dammed, it was common for water to flow down the canyon floor after heavy rains or during thaws.

Travel back in time to understand the insects that were part of the everyday experience of the cliff dwellers of Walnut Canyon. Indigenous people lived in direct contact with insects that still exist today. You probably got bitten or stung by an ant, mosquito, wasp, or triatomine. On the other hand, they could have eaten edible insects and kept their food bins and gardens free of pests.

Much of our insect inventory work was done using special flying traps that capture flying insects in a tent-like mesh with a collection bottle on top. During dispersal, mating, or hunting for food, insects happen upon these traps and are captured for further study.

Walnut Canyon National Monument staff instructed us to set up traps to keep the wonderful protected ruins out of the way. Some of the insect species we discovered include native pollinators, predators, scavengers and herbivores, all of which are part of the food web of reptiles, birds, bats and other large species. is supporting

This is a heavily protected national monument, so for future generations to look down from the rim and imagine what life was like at the depths of the canyon more than 10,000 years ago, The pristine condition of the habitat will be preserved.