DOCSLIB.ORG

Banished Beetle Project

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Banished Beetle Project The Banished Beetle Project ñ My goal is to involve citzen scientsts in the pursuit of saving the endangered American burying beetle – I need your help! ñ In this packet you will fnd background informaton on the American burying beetle and classroom experiments. ñ I introduce pitall trapping for the amateur entomologist, as well as an advanced actvity to trap burying beetles. ñ I encourage your students to get outside, get their hands dirty and marvel at the many in- sects they will fnd. Theresa E. Andrew Graduate Research Assistant Oklahoma State University Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology [email protected] The American Burying Beetle (ABB) The American burying bee- fur and excrete oral and anal se- Dakota, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebras- tle, Nicrophorus americanus, belon cretons to delay decomposi- ka and eastern Oklahoma. There gs to the order Coleoptera, and is ton. Along with all other beetles, are many hypotheses for their de- in the family Silphidae, which burying beetles cline including habitat alteraton, groups together all the carrion and are holometabolous with a life cy- competton with vertebrates, lack burying beetles. ABB are easy to cle consistng of egg, larvae, pupae of appropriately sized carrion, use recognize, as they are large, about and adult. Eggs are laid in a tunnel of pestcides, light polluton and 25-35 mm in length and have dis- near the carrion, and can range more. The extncton of two ap- tnctve markings. They are shiny from 3 to 30. At least one adult, propriately sized carrion, the pas- black with two orange-red spots but usually both, will provide care senger pigeon and the greater on each elytron, a star shaped or- for the young untl at least the prairie chicken, may also explain a ange-red marking on third instar. Even though the lar- decline in ABB populatons. Under the protonum, as well as an orange vae have the ability to eat secton 4 of the Endangered Spe- facial marking and orange-tpped with chewing mouthparts just like cies Act, it is required that the Fish clubbed antennae. Males and fe- the adults, the adults and Wildlife Service develop recov- males can be told apart by the faci- will feed them predigested carrion. ery plans. The recovery plan for al marking; males have a square They also provide care ABB was completed in 1991 and and females have a triangle. Adults by protectng their young from includes monitoring existng wild are fully nocturnal and are most predators. Larvae grow rapidly, populatons, maintaining captve actve from May through Septem- and in about 10-14 days crawl of populatons, conductng surveys ber, and breed during June and and pupate in the nearby soil and for additonal populatons and con- July. They are habitat general- emerge as adults in 5-6 weeks. ductng additonal reintroduc- ists and have a The American burying bee- tons. Progress has been made broad vegetatonal landscape tol- tle has been listed as endangered through these eforts, and ABB erance and have been found in by the United States Fish and Wild- have even been found in 13 coun- grasslands, scrublands and forest life Service since July 13, 1981. It is tes of eastern Oklahoma. edges. They require an area with one of only about 30 insects pro- This banished beetle plays a an abundance of bird and mammal tected under the Endangered Spe- vital role in the environment as a re- carrion, and proper soil to bury the cies Act of 1973. Formerly, ABB cycler and undertaker. They signif- carrion. were found throughout temperate cantly reduce fy populatons, saving humans from the flth, diseases and They are unique among eastern North America, as well as agricultural dilemmas that fies cause. non-social insects because they Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebras- Research is also being done to invest- display parental care. The male ka, Oklahoma and Texas. There has gate the oral and anal secretons the ABB will locate a carcass, and then been a 90% decrease in their origi- beetles produce as a possible antbi- atract a female with his phero- nal range, and are currently pre otc for humans. The frst step to mones. Together they will bury the sent in Rhode Island, South saving this species is knowledge, carcass, clean it of its feathers or which is where you come in. Help Insect Conservation A look at the American Burying Beetle Introducton: Most people understand that wildlife Objectves: Upon completon of this module conservaton is important, that our own survival you shall: may depend on other species that we share the ñ Learn about the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Ser- planet with. Some people are even fascinated with vice’s Endangered Species Act wildlife and don’t want to see their favorite animals ñ Be able to use a pitall trap go extnct. But what about insects? Insects make up ñ Be able to identfy the American burying about four ffhs of animal biodiversity of earth, and play a large part in enabling other types of wildlife beetle to survive. Endangered Species Act The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service creat- ed the Endangered Species Act afer re- alizing that many natve plants and ani- mals are at risk of going extnct. The En- dangered Species Acts serves to protect and recover imperiled species. When an organism is placed under ESA, it is de- fned as threatened or endangered. If it is threatened, that means it is likely to become endangered in the forseeable future. If it is endangered, it means the species is in danger of extncton throughout all or most of its range. There are currently 2,054 species listed under the Endangered Species Act. The ESA protects its listed species by prohib- itng the “take” of these animals, deem- ing it unlawful to collect or harm one. “The biodiversity crisis is undeniably an insect biodiversity crisis. Yet insect conservaton remains the awkward “kid sister” to vertebrate conservaton.” (Dunn 2005) DIY Pitfall Trap What can you do to help conserve insect biodiversity? ñ Observaton is key ñ Go in your backyard or playground and see what insects and arthropods you fnd! What you need: ñ A shovel ñ Two solo cups or similar sized ñ Styrofoam plate cups (yogurt cup, etc) ñ Chopstcks Actvity TIME!!!! Pick a spot outside to dig your pitall trap, preferably away from a lot of actvity. Choose an open pas- ture or a spot in a forest. Dig a hole in the ground with your shovel that’s big enough to ft your solo cup (or your cup of choice). Once you have your hole, place both cups securely in the ground so that the top of the cups are fush with the ground. Fill your cup with about an inch of soapy water. Using your styrofoam plate and chopstcks (or similar materials), poke the chopstcks through the plate and secure the chopstcks into the ground so that the plate hovers above your trap. This will stop rain from fooding your trap. Step 1: Dig a hole Step 2: Place cups in hole Step 3: Place soapy water in cup Step 4: Positon rain shield Step 5: Collect some insects!!! Time to Collect Data! Now that you have your pitfall trap set up and ready to go, you can start observing what insects you catch in your trap and start collecting data. Check the trap every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two weeks, fill out this data sheet and look at your results! DATE: Coleoptera Diptera (Flies) Hemiptera Hymenoptera Orthoptera Others (Beetles) (True bugs) (Ants, bees, (Grasshopers, wasps) katydids) Coleoptera Diptera Hemiptera Hymenoptera Orthoptera Burying Beetle Baited Trap Advanced Activity!!! Use the same pitall trap, but add a bait to trap for burying and carrion beetles. ñ The American burying beetle, like all burying and carrion beetles, use dead animals for their repro- ducton and food source. ñ Using a bait that imitates the smell of dead animal can atract them to your trap! ñ Be sure to NOT add soapy water to your cups this tme, in case of collectng American burying beetles (remember, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act!) What you need: ñ Two solo cups or similar sized cups (yogurt cup, etc) ñ A shovel ñ Styrofoam plate This can be added in a smaller cup ñ Chopstcks or a baggie with holes in it, and ñ Danny King’s Catish placed inside your pitall cups Punch Bait (available at Walmart) ABB are in OK! Please be aware of your locaton and the possibly of catching American burying beetles. If you are in any of the eastern, blue countes of Oklahoma shown below, please use your pitall trap with cauton! Check them frequently, so as not to let the beetles trapped for too long. Oklahoma’s Brightest Orange! ABB Anatomy Elytra (wing coverings) Pronotum Clubbed antennae Mouthparts Legs Compound eye Abdomen Thorax Head Look Closely! The American burying beetle has distnctve or- ange markings on its head, pronotum and elytra. But, don’t be fooled! Other species have similar markings. ñ Can you tell the diference between these two? ñ Which one is the American burying beetle? Nicrophorus americanus Common Burying & Carrion Beetle Identification: Nicrophorus marginatus Nicrophorus carolinus “Marg” have bright orange bands that connect on “Carols” have small orange markings, the botom two their sides. in a “C” shape. There is no notch on the pronotum. Nicrophorus tomentosus Necrodes surinemensis “Toms” also have bright orange bands, but they do not They have a fater, wider appearance, connect. The prontum is yellow and fuzzy. with tny orange dots at the botom of the elytra.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Evolutionary Significance of Body Size in Burying Beetles
    Brigham Young University Masthead Logo BYU ScholarsArchive All Theses and Dissertations 2018-04-01 The volutE ionary Significance of Body Size in Burying Beetles Ashlee Nichole Momcilovich Brigham Young University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Momcilovich, Ashlee Nichole, "The vE olutionary Significance of Body Size in Burying Beetles" (2018). All Theses and Dissertations. 7327. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/7327 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. The Evolutionary Significance of Body Size in Burying Beetles Ashlee Nichole Momcilovich A dissertation submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Mark C. Belk, Chair Seth M. Bybee Jerald B. Johnson Steven L. Peck G. Bruce Schaalje Department of Biology Brigham Young University Copyright © 2018 Ashlee Nichole Momcilovich All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT The Evolutionary Significance of Body Size in Burying Beetles Ashlee Nichole Momcilovich Department of Biology, BYU Doctor of Philosophy Body size is one of the most commonly studied traits of an organism, which is largely due to its direct correlation with fitness, life history strategy, and physiology of the organism. Patterns of body size distribution are also often studied. The distribution of body size within species is looked at for suggestions of differential mating strategies or niche variation among ontogenetic development. Patterns are also examined among species to determine the effects of competition, environmental factors, and phylogenetic inertia.
    [Show full text]
  • A Catalogue of Coleoptera Specimens with Potential Forensic Interest in the Goulandris Natural History Museum Collection
    ENTOMOLOGIA HELLENICA Vol. 25, 2016 A catalogue of Coleoptera specimens with potential forensic interest in the Goulandris Natural History Museum collection Dimaki Maria Goulandris Natural History Museum, 100 Othonos St. 14562 Kifissia, Greece Anagnou-Veroniki Maria Makariou 13, 15343 Aghia Paraskevi (Athens), Greece Tylianakis Jason Zoology Department, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/eh.11549 Copyright © 2017 Maria Dimaki, Maria Anagnou- Veroniki, Jason Tylianakis To cite this article: Dimaki, M., Anagnou-Veroniki, M., & Tylianakis, J. (2016). A catalogue of Coleoptera specimens with potential forensic interest in the Goulandris Natural History Museum collection. ENTOMOLOGIA HELLENICA, 25(2), 31-38. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/eh.11549 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 27/12/2018 06:22:38 | ENTOMOLOGIA HELLENICA 25 (2016): 31-38 Received 15 March 2016 Accepted 12 December 2016 Available online 3 February 2017 A catalogue of Coleoptera specimens with potential forensic interest in the Goulandris Natural History Museum collection MARIA DIMAKI1’*, MARIA ANAGNOU-VERONIKI2 AND JASON TYLIANAKIS3 1Goulandris Natural History Museum, 100 Othonos St. 14562 Kifissia, Greece 2Makariou 13, 15343 Aghia Paraskevi (Athens), Greece 3Zoology Department, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand ABSTRACT This paper presents a catalogue of the Coleoptera specimens in the Goulandris Natural History Museum collection that have potential forensic interest. Forensic entomology can help to estimate the time elapsed since death by studying the necrophagous insects collected on a cadaver and its surroundings. In this paper forty eight species (369 specimens) are listed that belong to seven families: Silphidae (3 species), Staphylinidae (6 species), Histeridae (11 species), Anobiidae (4 species), Cleridae (6 species), Dermestidae (14 species), and Nitidulidae (4 species).
    [Show full text]
  • A Beautiful Insect That Buries Dead Bodies Is in the Middle of a Conservation Battle
    We use cookies to provide you with a better onsite experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. SUBSCRIBE CONSERVATION A Beautiful Insect That Buries Dead Bodies Is In the Middle of a Conservation Battle Oil companies want the American burying beetle to be the first recovered insect taken off the U.S. endangered species list. But scientists say comeback claims are wildly exaggerated By Hannah Nordhaus | Scientific American December 2017 Issue Credit: Joel Sartore Getty Images ADVERTISEMENT IN BRIEF On the federal endangered species list since 1989, the American burying beetle needs small animal carcasses to live. Beetle habitat overlaps with oil and gas industry operations, and the industry wants the insect off the protected list. Arguments turn on whether the beetle's current population is robust enough to survive in a habitat that includes more pipelines, drilling rigs and roads. The beetle ranch is lovely: slate tile, a Viking range, knotty oak paneling and a wood stove with a preening taxidermy turkey on the wall above it. The porch is lined with rocking chairs that face out to a massive walnut tree and, beyond it, the pastures and thickets of southern Oklahoma's Lower Canadian Hills. Clover fields glow in the afternoon sun. A phoebe hollers from her nest; a scissortail flits between fence and field. People working at the ranch carry all sorts of weapons. Amy Smith, a biologist who conducts research here, keeps a .38 handgun strapped to her waist. Preston Smith, an owner of the property (and no relation to Amy Smith), is a six-and-a-half-foot-tall Texan who wears a beautiful silver-and-black combination .45 and .410 revolver engraved with his name.
    [Show full text]
  • Program Book
    NORTH CENTRAL BRANCH Entomological Society of America 59th Annual Meeting March 28-31, 2004 President Rob Wiedenmann The Fairmont Kansas City At the Plaza 401 Ward Parkway Kansas City, MO 64112 Contents Meeting Logistics ................................................................ 2 2003-2004 Officers and Committees, ESA-NCB .............. 4 2004 North Central Branch Award Recipients ................ 8 Program ............................................................................. 13 Sunday, March 28, 2004 Afternoon ...............................................................13 Evening ..................................................................13 Monday, March 29, 2004 Morning..................................................................14 Afternoon ...............................................................23 Evening ..................................................................42 Tuesday, March 30, 2004 Morning..................................................................43 Afternoon ...............................................................63 Evening ..................................................................67 Wednesday, March 31, 2004 Morning..................................................................68 Afternoon ...............................................................72 Author Index ..............................................................73 Taxonomic Index........................................................84 Key Word Index.........................................................88
    [Show full text]
  • And Burying Beetles (Nicrophorus Spp): Differences Between Northern and Southern Temperate Sites
    COMPETITION FOR PREY BETWEEN ANTS AND BURYING BEETLES (NICROPHORUS SPP): DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN TEMPERATE SITES. BY MICHELLE P. SCOTT, JAMES F. A. TRANIELLO, AND ISABELLE A. FETHERSTON Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 INTRODUCTION Burying beetles (Silphidae: Nicrophorus) utilize small vertebrate carcasses which can be quickly buried or rolled down a hole and concealed. Because carrion is also used by other invertebrates and vertebrates, burying beetles may be in competition with species of a wide variety of taxa for access to carcasses. For example, calli- phorid flies are often first to oviposit on carrion and if the eggs are not detected and destroyed by Nicrophorus the carcass may be con- sumed by developing fly larvae, causing the beetles to abandon the resource. One aspect of resource competition in Nicrophorus that has not been examined concerns interactions between burying beetles and ants (Arnett 1946). Ants are abundant, omnivorous scavengers in many habitats; ant colony size is often large and many species have swift recruitment systems that would allow them to occupy and defend small vertebrate prey. Ant species diversity and abundance are known to follow a latitudinal gradient (Kusnezov 1957, Wilson 1971, Jeanne 1979), and therefore the predatory or scavenging hab- its of ants may exert different effects on the ability of northern and southern temperate Nicrophorus species to control small vertebrate carrion. In this paper we report on the results of a study examining competitive interactions between burying beetles and ants at north- ern and southern sites in North America. MATERIALS AND METHODS The natural history of burying beetles (Nicrophorus spp.) and their ecological relationships have been well described (Pukowski *Revised manuscript received by the editor September 10, 1987.
    [Show full text]
  • New Records of Carrion Beetles in Nebraska Reveal Increased
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Great Plains Studies, Center for Social Sciences Fall 2011 NEW RECORDS OF CARRION BEETLES IN NEBRASKA REVEAL INCREASED PRESENCE OF THE AMERICAN BURYING BEETLE, NICROPHORUS AMERICANUS OLIVIER (COLEOPTERA: SILPHIDAE) Jessica Jurzenski University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Daniel G. Snethen Little Wound High School, Kyle, SD Mathew L. Brust Chadron State College, [email protected] W. Wyatt obH ack University of Nebraska at Kearney, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch Part of the American Studies Commons, Animal Sciences Commons, and the Entomology Commons Jurzenski, Jessica; Snethen, Daniel G.; Brust, Mathew L.; and Hoback, W. Wyatt, "NEW RECORDS OF CARRION BEETLES IN NEBRASKA REVEAL INCREASED PRESENCE OF THE AMERICAN BURYING BEETLE, NICROPHORUS AMERICANUS OLIVIER (COLEOPTERA: SILPHIDAE)" (2011). Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences. 1188. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/1188 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Great Plains Studies, Center for at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Great Plains Research 21 (Fall 2011):131-43 © 2011 Copyright by the Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska- Lincoln NEW RECORDS OF CARRION BEETLES IN NEBRASKA REVEAL INCREASED PRESENCE OF THE AMERICAN BURYING BEETLE, NICROPHORUS AMERICANUS OLIVIER (COLEOPTERA: SILPHIDAE) Jessica Jurzenski Department 0/ Entomology 202 Entomology Hall University o/Nebraska- Lincoln Lincoln, NE 68583-0816 [email protected] Daniel G.
    [Show full text]
  • Forensic Entomology an Introduction
    Forensic Entomology An Introduction Dorothy E. Gennard University of Lincoln, UK Forensic Entomology Forensic Entomology An Introduction Dorothy E. Gennard University of Lincoln, UK Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8SQ, England Telephone +44 1243 779777 Email (for orders and customer service enquiries): [email protected] Visit our Home Page on www.wiley.com All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP, UK, without the permission in writing of the Publisher. Requests to the Publisher should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8SQ, England, or emailed to [email protected], or faxed to (+44) 1243 770620. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The Publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the Publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015-2025 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan
    2 0 1 5 – 2 0 2 5 Species Assessments Appendix 1.1A – Birds A Comprehensive Status Assessment of Pennsylvania’s Avifauna for Application to the State Wildlife Action Plan Update 2015 (Jason Hill, PhD) Assessment of eBird data for the importance of Pennsylvania as a bird migratory corridor (Andy Wilson, PhD) Appendix 1.1B – Mammals A Comprehensive Status Assessment of Pennsylvania’s Mammals, Utilizing NatureServe Ranking Methodology and Rank Calculator Version 3.1 for Application to the State Wildlife Action Plan Update 2015 (Charlie Eichelberger and Joe Wisgo) Appendix 1.1C – Reptiles and Amphibians A Revision of the State Conservation Ranks of Pennsylvania’s Herpetofauna Appendix 1.1D – Fishes A Revision of the State Conservation Ranks of Pennsylvania’s Fishes Appendix 1.1E – Invertebrates Invertebrate Assessment for the 2015 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan Revision 2015-2025 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan Appendix 1.1A - Birds A Comprehensive Status Assessment of Pennsylvania’s Avifauna for Application to the State Wildlife Action Plan Update 2015 Jason M. Hill, PhD. Table of Contents Assessment ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Data Sources ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Species Selection ................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ofcanada Part13
    THE INSECTS ANDARAOHNIDS OFCANADA PART13 The ofca,.m'ffitrslP; Coleo r* SgHHy'" THE INSECTS ANDARACHNIDS OFCANADA t%RT13 The Carrion Beetles of Canada and Alaska Coleoptera Silphidae and Agyrtidae Robert S. Andersonl and Stewart B. Peck2 Biosystematics Research Institute Ottawa, Ontario Research Branch Agriculture Canada Publication 1778 1985 rUniyersity of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta 2Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario oMinister of Supply and Services Canada 1985 Available in Canada through Authorized Bookstore Agents and other bookstores or by mail from Canadian Government Publishing Centre Supply and Services Canada Ottawa, Canada KIA 0S9 Catalogue No. A42-42,21985-l3E Canada: $7.00 ISBN 0-662-11752-5 Other Countries: $8.40 Price subject to change without notice Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Anderson, Robert Samuel The carrion beetles of Canada and Alaska (Coleoptera: Silphidae and Agyrtidae) (The Insects and arachnids of Canada, ISSN 0706-7313 ; pt. 13) (Publication ;1778) Includes bibliographical references and index. l. Silphidae. 2. Beetles - Canada. 3. Beetles -- Alaska. I. Peck, Stewart B. II. Canada. Agricul- ture Canada. Research Branch. III. Title. IV. Series. V. Series: Publication (Canada. Agri- culture Canada). English ; 1778. QL596.S5A5 1985 595.76 C85-097200-0 The Insects and Arachnids of Canada Part l. Collecting, Preparing, and Preserving Insects, Mites, and Spiders, compiled by J. E. H. Martin, Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa, 1977. 182 p. Price: Canada $3.50, other countries $4.20 (Canadian funds). Cat. No. A42-42/1977 -1. Partie 1. R6colte, prdparation et conservation des Insectes, des Acariens et des Araign6es, compil6 par J.E.H. Martin, Institut de recherches biosyst6- matiques, Ottawa, 1983.
    [Show full text]
  • Thesis (861.9Kb)
    HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS OF CARRION BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: SILPHIDAE) COMMUNITIES FOUND ON SMALL MAMMAL CARRION IN THE KANSAS FLINT HILLS A Thesis by Emmy L. Engasser Bachelor of Science, Wichita State University, 2014 Submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences and the faculty of the Graduate School of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science December 2017 © Copyright 2017 by Emmy L. Engasser All Rights Reserved HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS OF CARRION BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: SILPHIDAE) COMMUNITIES FOUND ON SMALL MAMMAL CARRION IN THE KANSAS FLINT HILLS The following faculty members have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content, and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science with a major in Biological Sciences. ______________________________________ Mary Liz Jameson, Committee Chair ______________________________________ Leland Russell, Committee Member ______________________________________ Peer Moore-Jansen, Committee Member iii There are two things after death: putrefaction, the work of microbes, and disappearance, the work of insects. -Yovanovitch, 1888 iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, I would like to thank Dr. Mary Liz Jameson. Her passion inspired me to pursue entomology. Without her support and guidance, I would not be the same person I am today. I thank Wichita State University for funding and use of their facilities, and the well-known Maria Martino and Marcia Norton (Wichita State University) for help with putting out fires and anything we needed. Thanks to my committee members, Dr. Leland Russell for his help with experimental design and statistical questions and Dr. Peer Moore-Jansen for providing forensic expertise, the funds needed to initiate this research, and granting access to WSU’S Skeleton Acres Research Facility.
    [Show full text]
  • American Burying Beetle
    American Burying Beetle U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 9014 East 21st Street Tulsa, Oklahoma 74129 Nicrophorus americanus - Olivier 918- 5 8 1 - 7458 6 / 4 / 2 0 1 4 Available online http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Oklahoma/ABB_Add_Info.htm American Burying Beetle (ABB) Nicrophorus americanus Executive Summary The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus, ABB) is the largest silphid (carrion beetle) in North America, reaching 1.0 to 1.8 inches (2.5-4.5 cm) in length (Wilson 1971, Anderson 1982, Backlund and Marrone 1997). The most diagnostic feature of the ABB is the large orange-red marking on the raised portion of the pronotum (hard back plate of the front portion of the thorax of insects), a feature shared with no other members of the genus in North America (USFWS 1991). The ABB is a nocturnal species that lives only for one year. The beetles are active in the summer months and bury themselves in the soil for the duration of the winter. Immature beetles (tenerals) emerge in late summer, over-winter as adults, and comprise the breeding population the following summer (Kozol 1990a). Adults and larvae are dependent on carrion (animal carcass) for food and reproduction. They must compete for carrion with other invertebrate and vertebrate species. Having wings, ABBs are strong fliers and have been reported moving distances ranging from 0.10 to 18.14 miles (0-29.19 kilometers) in various parts of their range (Bedick et al. 1999, Creighton and Schnell 1998, Jurzenski 2012, Jurzenski et al. 2011, Schnell et al. 1997-2006). In Oklahoma, ABBs have been recorded to move up to 10 km (6.2 miles) in 6 nights (Creighton and Schnell 1998).
    [Show full text]
  • DNA Barcoding of the First Recorded American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus Americanus, in Clark County, Arkansas J
    Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science Volume 70 Article 21 2016 DNA Barcoding of the First Recorded American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus americanus, in Clark County, Arkansas J. Kelly Ouachita Baptist University, [email protected] T. Files Ouachita Baptist University N. Reyna Ouachita Baptist University B. Baley Ouachita Baptist University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas Part of the Entomology Commons, and the Population Biology Commons Recommended Citation Kelly, J.; Files, T.; Reyna, N.; and Baley, B. (2016) "DNA Barcoding of the First Recorded American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus americanus, in Clark County, Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 70 , Article 21. Available at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol70/iss1/21 This article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able to read, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 70 [2016], Art. 21 DNA Barcoding of the First Recorded American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus americanus, in Clark County, Arkansas J. Kelly*, T. Files, B. Baley and N. Reyna Department of Biology, Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita Street, Box 3792, Arkadelphia, AR 71998-0001 Correspondence: [email protected] Running Title: DNA Barcoding of the American Burying Beetle, N.
    [Show full text]