Details:

Creators:
Hoback, W. Wyatt ; Conley, Adrienne
Hoback, W. Wyatt ; Conley, Adrienne Less -
Corporate Creators:
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Conservation Endangered Species Freezing Insects Low Temperature Physiology Survival Winter
Publication/ Report Number:
M330
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Nebraska
Corporate Publisher:
Nebraska. Dept. of Roads
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

beetle’s 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.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:79322acc8072547d4ac37e74d30179f756f4555e7f3d336e0567d162134a985e
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/28823/dot_28823_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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