Casey's June Beetle- Oscar Rodriguez

Casey’s June Beetle (Dinacoma caseyi)

Ecology of Organism

The ecology of Casey’s June beetle starts underground. Beetles emerge from underground burrows between late March and early June, with abundance peaks occurring in April and May. Females don’t fly and only emerge briefly from underground at dusk to mate and after proceed underground to deposit eggs. Males are attracted to females by pheromones. A pheromone is a chemical substance released to the environment by an animal, affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its species (1). Adults can be abundant at high-density sites during good environmental conditions. The larval stage at this point as not been well studied (2).

Geographic and Population Changes

The known distribution of Casey's June beetle included a fan shape deposit of sediment built up by stream and debris flow, as well as, river wash areas within Palm Springs, CA. Most locality information specimens in collections specifies "Palm Springs" or simply Riverside County. Besides "Palm Springs" specimens there were also Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Palm Canyon which were

identified in all the western Coachella Valley east of the San Jacinto mountains. Casey's June beetle current known range is limited to southern portions of Palm Springs. Based on movement by humans in the habitat of the beetle, it has been seen that more likely only one remaining population located in Palm Springs (2).

Listing Date and Type of Listing

Casey's June beetle got listed as an endangered species on September 22, 2011.

Cause of listing and Main threats to its continued existence

Casey's June beetle is listed as an endangered species because of the decline of specimens in southern California. Main threats to Casey's June beetle is the present or threatened destruction, modification, or reducing its habitat or range. Residential and commercial development are the greatest threats to the habitat. Other natural or manmade factors affect its continued existence. Casey's June beetle is threatened by the increase intensity and frequency of catastrophic flood evens, environmental effects resulting from changing climatic patterns, loss of individuals due to foot, vehicle, and horse traffic, as well as soil disturbing activities. Also Casey's June beetle get lost due to attraction to pools and light sources. Males are attracted to light resulting in males getting trapped inside and dying (2).

Description of Recovery Plan

The primary objectives of the recovery plan is to survey and monitor rangewide to accurately document the population distribution, occupied habitat, and local threats. Second, is to protect the existing population in Palm Springs through acquisition and protection of existing occupied habitat. Third, is to implement projects specifically designed to ameliorate threats and inform management actions for recovery of Casey's June beetle. Finally, is to expand the current distribution through habitat restoration and species reintroduction (2).

(1) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232635.php

(2) http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/CJB_Recovery_Outline_FINAL.pdf

Picture

http://war.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphylla_decemlineata