Response of beetles (Coleoptera) to repeated applications of prescribed fire and other fuel reduction techniques in the southern Appalachian Mountains

•Coleoptera abundance and diversity were similar in all fuel reduction treatments.•Chrysomelidae was significantly more abundant in mechanical and burn treatments.•Staphylinidae abundance was significantly lower in mechanical and burn treatments.•Fire reduced the canopy cover and increased plant cover on the forest floor.•Repeated application of fuel reduction techniques can alter beetle abundances.