Overwintering biology and tests of trap and relocate as a conservation measure for burying beetles.
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2015
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Abstract:Burying beetles are carrion beetles and utilize dead animal carcasses for feeding
and reproductive efforts. They assist with decomposition, prevent the spread of disease,
and reduce the number of pest species. The largest species of carrion beetle, the
American burying beetle, is a federally endangered insect and its distribution has been
reduced by 90%. The conservation of this species is important in maintaining a healthy
ecosystem. Overwintering biology and trap and relocation were studied to determine how
this beetle survives freezing temperatures and to find whether trap and relocation could
be a suitable conservation management measure.
Trap and relocation is a technique often used to relocate organisms from an area
where human and animal habitats overlap. In this study, we test the efficacy of a trap-
relocate technique with a surrogate species of burying beetle, Nicrophorus marginatus, to
determine the implications of this technique on the conservation management of the
federally endangered American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus. Baited pitfall
traps were used for capture, and the comparison of percent recaptures at different trap
sites (control, source, and destination) was used to determine the effects of relocating beetles. The results showed that percent recaptures were lower for the beetles relocated to
the new location; however, there was no statistical difference between trap sites. Trap and
relocation, in circumstances where there is substantial threat to the American burying
beetleās habitat, should be considered for conserving this species.
Insects are poikilotherms and have evolved strategies to survive freezing
temperatures through changes in behavior and physiology. Overwintering insects either
utilize a freeze tolerant or freeze avoidant strategy. Freeze avoidant insects cannot
withstand their cellular fluids freezing solid, while freeze tolerant insects can survive this.
Burying beetles from their northern range in Nebraska were put in a simulated, natural
environment to determine whether they are freeze avoidant or freeze tolerant. The results
showed that there was a strong relationship between beetle depth and temperature.
Beetles from the northern range buried at or below the frost line to survive freezing
temperatures. This could have further implications in the conservation of the American
burying beetle if there are differences between the overwintering behavior of northern
and southern range beetles.
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