Monday, June 8, 2015

The Little Burrowing Beetle: Casey's June Beetle Endangerment and Recovery

Robert Deen

CASEY'S JUNE BEETLE

(Dinacoma Caseyi)
Male pictured left, Female on the right

Description & Ecology 

Casey's June Beetle is a small beetle existent in the Palm Spring, CA region. The beetle belongs to the scarab family and range from 0.55 to 0.71 inches in length. Appearance of these beetles is either whitish or brown in color with stripping on their wings and heads. For most of the year these beetles live in underground burrows up to 6 inches below the grounds surface, feeding on organic matter found in the soil. These beetles emerge from their burrows during the period of March to late June in order to mate. Males of this species have the ability to fly while females seem to be flightless. The males travel during this emergence period to locate a female to mate with. After mating has occurred the females either return to their existing burrow or dig another for deposition of her eggs. Currently little is known about the larvae period of this insect. Predators to these beetles include primarily birds, but reptiles have also been known to eat the beetles. This beetle species was listed as Endangered on September 22, 2011.

Geographic & Population Change

To date there have been no formal or published scientific studies of the beetles life history, population size, population distribution, population dynamics, or individual movement. The species is known to have existed within river wash areas and floodplains in Palm Springs and similar habitats of the City of Indian Wells. Currently the species only inhabits southern portions of Palm Springs and only one remaining population is known to exist. At present day in Smoke Tree Ranch of Palm Springs, a large proportion of the known population resides in this gated community. An analysis from soil data suggests that 97 percent of the historical range of the beetle has been converted to residential and commercial development.
Aerial Image showing current and past locations near
Image showing current distribution and critical habitat

Cause of Listing and Main Threats to Continued Existence

Casey's June Beetle is mainly listed due to the following:
  • Habitat loss, destruction, modification and fragmentation due to development within the Palm Springs area
  • Increased intensity and frequency of Catastrophic flood events
  • Loss of individuals in pools and due to their attraction to light sources
  • Environmental effects resulting from changing climatic patterns
  • Loss of individuals due to soil disturbing activities
  • Lack of populations abilities to move to new potential habitat

Description of Recovery Plan

Prior to any action other than protecting existing habitat, a survey must be conducted to monitor and document the population's distribution, occupied habitat, and local threats. Once the survey has been completed, the population will have its current distribution extended through habitat restoration and species reintroduction. Additionally, education in the community about the threat of this species continued existence must be done to strengthen recovery efforts. 

References and Links for Further Reading


https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2009/07/09/E9-16282/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-listing-caseys-june-beetle-dinacoma-caseyi

http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=I0TG

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/CJB_Recovery_Outline_FINAL.pdf

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