Historical Perspective

The American Burying Beetle in Ohio: The American Burying Beetle in Ohio: Current Status and Future Direction of Current Status and Future Direction of the 1the 1stst Mainland Reintroduction and Mainland Reintroduction and Ohio’s Captive Rearing Program.Ohio’s Captive Rearing Program.

Presented by George D. Keeney and David J. HornPresented by George D. Keeney and David J. HornThe Ohio State UniversityThe Ohio State UniversityDepartment of EntomologyDepartment of Entomology

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective Last known extant occurrence in Ohio at Last known extant occurrence in Ohio at

Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Park (1974).Park (1974).

Collected from dead woodchuck.Collected from dead woodchuck. Found in OARDC collection.Found in OARDC collection. The first mainland reintroductionThe first mainland reintroduction

of ABB to historic habitatof ABB to historic habitat

Last known historicaloccurrence of ABB in Ohio(1974, Hocking Hills St. Park.)

OH counties where ABB is currently listed

The Search for Extant The Search for Extant PopulationsPopulations

Started surveying in 1988.Started surveying in 1988. Obtained small grant from ODNR in Obtained small grant from ODNR in

1993.1993. Considered Lake Erie islands, Wayne Considered Lake Erie islands, Wayne

National Forest, various ODNR forests, National Forest, various ODNR forests, associated state parks, wildlife areas and associated state parks, wildlife areas and metro parks.metro parks.

Considerations in surveys Considerations in surveys and selection of release and selection of release sitessites

Land use/ownership.Land use/ownership. Types and numbers of congenerics.Types and numbers of congenerics. Degree of scavenger disturbance.Degree of scavenger disturbance. Estimated type, weight and amounts of Estimated type, weight and amounts of

carrion available.carrion available. Other rare or unusual faunaOther rare or unusual fauna

Ohio Recovery Efforts: Ohio Recovery Efforts: Restoration Goals and ObjectivesRestoration Goals and Objectives

To establish a self-sustaining viable population of To establish a self-sustaining viable population of the American burying beetle within Ohio; the American burying beetle within Ohio;

To maintain at least one captive breeding colony of To maintain at least one captive breeding colony of ABBs to provide adequate numbers of animals for ABBs to provide adequate numbers of animals for release; and release; and

To produce and distribute informational materials for To produce and distribute informational materials for the general public and to conduct educational the general public and to conduct educational programs about the ABB.programs about the ABB.

Waterloo Wildlife Area and Experimental Station

Adjoins 26,827 acre Zaleski St. Forest, Lake Hope St. Park and Wayne National Forest

OH counties where ABB is listed

Summary of ABB Summary of ABB Releases for Releases for Reintroduction to OhioReintroduction to Ohio

Date # Pairs Released Source of ABBs

7/24/98 29 Arkansas (wild)

6/9/99 20 (+16 females) Arkansas (wild)

7/20/00 35 (+1male) Arkansas (wild)

2001 none

2002 none

2003 none

7/1/04 78 OSU (captive)

6/28/05 82 OSU (captive)

6/28/05 58 St. Louis Zoo (captive)

6/8/06 193 (+6 males) St. Louis Zoo (captive)

The Wilds Conservation

Area

-14 square miles of primarily grassland

- Reclaimed strip mine land

- 200 acres of wetlands

- 150 lakes

The OSU BiologicalControl Quarantine Facility formerly housed our captive breeding colony.

Brooding our ABB

•14 hour photoperiod•25° Celsius

Adult beetle maintainance

•14 hour photoperiod

•25° Celsius

•held here 3-4 weeks before cooler storage or breeding.

•Adults are housed separately in 3”w x 3”h x 7”l crisper.•Adult beetles are fed combination of Galleria and Tenebrio larvae.•Damp paper toweling changed every 3-4 days.

Evening approaches!

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items Continue surveying effort…Continue surveying effort…

Intensify surveys at Waterloo Wildlife Intensify surveys at Waterloo Wildlife Area in spring prior to ABB release for Area in spring prior to ABB release for 2007.2007.

Expand survey area by utilizing smaller Expand survey area by utilizing smaller “sentinel” surveys in other tri-county “sentinel” surveys in other tri-county areas, i.e. state forest land, state parks, areas, i.e. state forest land, state parks, national forest, private land, etc.national forest, private land, etc. If ABB are found in a sentinel area, then focus If ABB are found in a sentinel area, then focus

more effort in that locality.more effort in that locality.

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items Continue surveying effort…Continue surveying effort…

Continue with 3Continue with 3rdrd year of surveys at The year of surveys at The Wilds.Wilds. Prepare for release perhaps in 2008?Prepare for release perhaps in 2008?

Continue with surveys in the nearby Continue with surveys in the nearby Wayne National Forest.Wayne National Forest.

Long Hollow (Athens County) and Wildcat Hollow Long Hollow (Athens County) and Wildcat Hollow (Perry County).(Perry County).

Tick Ridge (Vinton County)?Tick Ridge (Vinton County)? Adjoining private lands of interested participants?Adjoining private lands of interested participants?

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items Placement of road kill at several specific Placement of road kill at several specific

sites in Waterloo Wildlife Area away from sites in Waterloo Wildlife Area away from release areas.release areas. Provide carrion resources as an adult ABB Provide carrion resources as an adult ABB

feeding resource.feeding resource. May attract and hold ABB in the general vicinity.May attract and hold ABB in the general vicinity. Easily checked for Easily checked for NicrophorusNicrophorus spp. at any visit spp. at any visit

without setting up transects.without setting up transects. Perhaps satiating local vertebrate scavengers or Perhaps satiating local vertebrate scavengers or

throwing them “off the scent”? Perhaps “low-throwing them “off the scent”? Perhaps “low-hanging fruit”?hanging fruit”?

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items Monitor the fate of carrion at Waterloo Monitor the fate of carrion at Waterloo

Wildlife Area.Wildlife Area. Determine how carrion is utilized when available Determine how carrion is utilized when available

in “protected” and “unprotected” conditions?in “protected” and “unprotected” conditions? Is it being used by Is it being used by NicrophorusNicrophorus spp.? Which ones? spp.? Which ones? Effective in detecting ABB compared to baited Effective in detecting ABB compared to baited

transects?transects?

Determine type and numbers of vertebrate Determine type and numbers of vertebrate scavengers?scavengers? Feral pigs, coyotes, turkey vultures, raccoon, etc.Feral pigs, coyotes, turkey vultures, raccoon, etc. Evaluate protective measures prior to 2007 release.Evaluate protective measures prior to 2007 release.

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items Tools in determining type and numbers Tools in determining type and numbers

of vertebrate scavengers.of vertebrate scavengers. Infrared cameras trained on carrion.Infrared cameras trained on carrion.

Road kill.Road kill. ““Protected” and “unprotected” quail Protected” and “unprotected” quail

carcasses. carcasses. ““Wet sand” prints? Wet sand” prints?

Correct for any deficiencies in protective Correct for any deficiencies in protective measures against vertebrate scavengers measures against vertebrate scavengers prior to 2007 release. prior to 2007 release.

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items Release of ABB supplied by the St. Louis Release of ABB supplied by the St. Louis

ZooZoo Release is scheduled for Thursday, June 21, 2007.Release is scheduled for Thursday, June 21, 2007. Estimated that 100 or so pairs of captive reared beetles Estimated that 100 or so pairs of captive reared beetles

will be provided.will be provided. Will be last year of releases at Waterloo Wildlife Area.Will be last year of releases at Waterloo Wildlife Area. The bucket rearing method which was utilized last year on The bucket rearing method which was utilized last year on

a limited trial basis will be expanded.a limited trial basis will be expanded. Rolled heavy duty garden fence will probably be utilized in Rolled heavy duty garden fence will probably be utilized in

lieu of poultry netting squares to protect brooding ABB lieu of poultry netting squares to protect brooding ABB after burial.after burial.

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items Post-release ABB activities Post-release ABB activities

Monitor burial and brooding success of ABB 10 Monitor burial and brooding success of ABB 10 to 15 days post-release (weather dependent)to 15 days post-release (weather dependent).. Estimate potential brood size by sampling.Estimate potential brood size by sampling. Determine impact of scavengers.Determine impact of scavengers.

Provide potential “alternative” brooding Provide potential “alternative” brooding opportunities locally if adults abscond from opportunities locally if adults abscond from those provided. Maybe useful in monitoring.those provided. Maybe useful in monitoring.

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items Post-release ABB activitiesPost-release ABB activities

Continue to closely monitor Waterloo Continue to closely monitor Waterloo specifically throughout season.specifically throughout season.

Continue to conduct surveys throughout greater Continue to conduct surveys throughout greater Athens/Hocking/Vinton area. Athens/Hocking/Vinton area.

Provide supplemental carrion in the general Provide supplemental carrion in the general locality to emerging beetles later in season.locality to emerging beetles later in season.

Local control measures against feral pigs Local control measures against feral pigs maymay be implemented by ODNR on Waterloo as this is be implemented by ODNR on Waterloo as this is also a wild turkey management area.also a wild turkey management area.

2007 Action Items2007 Action Items The captive ABB breeding program in OhioThe captive ABB breeding program in Ohio

A few pair of adults from the arriving St. A few pair of adults from the arriving St. Louis stock will be initially culled to establish Louis stock will be initially culled to establish a small captive colony at The Wilds.a small captive colony at The Wilds.

A few pair of adults produced from the A few pair of adults produced from the buckets used at the Waterloo release site will buckets used at the Waterloo release site will be culled upon emergence to reestablish a be culled upon emergence to reestablish a captive colony at The Ohio State University captive colony at The Ohio State University Department of Entomology.Department of Entomology.

Future DirectionFuture Direction Captive cultures reestablished with beetles from Captive cultures reestablished with beetles from

St. Louis ZooSt. Louis Zoo A few pairs culled initially for establishment of A few pairs culled initially for establishment of

The Wilds colonyThe Wilds colony Field reared beetles culled later for OSU colonyField reared beetles culled later for OSU colony

Increase numbers of captive reared ABB at The Increase numbers of captive reared ABB at The Wilds and OSU in 2007Wilds and OSU in 2007

Involvement by Cincinnati Zoo as a tertiary captive Involvement by Cincinnati Zoo as a tertiary captive population (2008?)population (2008?)

Justifications for multiple rearing sitesJustifications for multiple rearing sites

Increases ability to raise more quality Increases ability to raise more quality beetles by…beetles by… Effectively increasing manpowerEffectively increasing manpower Increasing rearing spaceIncreasing rearing space Spreading burden of limited financial, Spreading burden of limited financial,

physical and personnel resources physical and personnel resources ““Puts the eggs in more than one basket”Puts the eggs in more than one basket” Increases potential genetic diversity by Increases potential genetic diversity by

periodically outcrossing between periodically outcrossing between culturescultures

Future home of OSU ABB Future home of OSU ABB colonycolony

Access to water, walk-in cooler, environmental chambersAccess to water, walk-in cooler, environmental chambers Adequate space for brooding, maintaining adultsAdequate space for brooding, maintaining adults Controlled stable environmentControlled stable environment

Interior roomInterior room Temperature, ventilation and lighting controlledTemperature, ventilation and lighting controlled

SecureSecure

Future DirectionFuture Direction Releases planned for The Wilds in Releases planned for The Wilds in

2008 or 2009 using ABB reared at The 2008 or 2009 using ABB reared at The Wilds and OSU?Wilds and OSU?

Additional releases planned at The Additional releases planned at The Wilds and perhaps additional sites in Wilds and perhaps additional sites in SE Ohio beyond 2008 or 2009? SE Ohio beyond 2008 or 2009?

Study on fate of carcassesStudy on fate of carcasses

= Waterloo Wildlife Area

=Potential future release sites

Current release sites

The Wilds

Wildcat Hollow (WNF)

Long Hollow (WNF)

Assessment of the Potential Impact of Assessment of the Potential Impact of Chlorophacinone on Burying Beetles.Chlorophacinone on Burying Beetles.

Introduction:Introduction: Chlorophacinone is an indandione anticoagulant Chlorophacinone is an indandione anticoagulant

rodenticide.rodenticide. Used to control nuisance prairie dogs, pocket gophers Used to control nuisance prairie dogs, pocket gophers

and voles. (OK, KS and NB).and voles. (OK, KS and NB). Potential impact of this chemical on ABB needed to be Potential impact of this chemical on ABB needed to be

assessed. assessed. Nicrophorus orbicollis, Nicrophorus orbicollis, was used as a surrogate species.was used as a surrogate species.

Nicrophorus orbicollis =Nicrophorus orbicollis = nearest extant relative to nearest extant relative to ABB.ABB.

Assessment of the Potential Impact of Assessment of the Potential Impact of Chlorophacinone on Burying Beetles.Chlorophacinone on Burying Beetles.

Hypothesis/Expectations: Hypothesis/Expectations: Exposure to chlorophacinone would have Exposure to chlorophacinone would have

minimal to no impact on beetle behavior or minimal to no impact on beetle behavior or survivorship.survivorship. No direct acute mortality effects to adult No direct acute mortality effects to adult

beetles and/or immature forms.beetles and/or immature forms. No direct acute/chronic effects upon adult No direct acute/chronic effects upon adult

behavior and/or immature forms.behavior and/or immature forms. No indirect or secondary effects upon adults No indirect or secondary effects upon adults

and/or immature forms, i.e. reduced fecundity and/or immature forms, i.e. reduced fecundity of adults, issues with immature growth and of adults, issues with immature growth and development, etc. development, etc.

METHODS/MATERIALSMETHODS/MATERIALS

Phase 1.) Investigation of any acute or chronic effects of Phase 1.) Investigation of any acute or chronic effects of chlorophacinone upon chlorophacinone upon NicrophorusNicrophorus larvae developing in dosed larvae developing in dosed carcasses and the subsequent generation of adults produced carcasses and the subsequent generation of adults produced from those carcassesfrom those carcasses

Test carcasses of female laboratory Norway Test carcasses of female laboratory Norway rats. rats.

Treatment: Fed exclusively 50 ppm Treatment: Fed exclusively 50 ppm chlorophacinone bait for a period of 5 to 10 chlorophacinone bait for a period of 5 to 10 days. days.

Control: Undosed rats fed upon a standard Control: Undosed rats fed upon a standard laboratory rodent diet. laboratory rodent diet.

Standard procedures used for production of Standard procedures used for production of ABB.ABB.

The total number of young produced per brood The total number of young produced per brood was tallied, sexed and weighed. was tallied, sexed and weighed.


Phase 2.) Investigation of any direct acute or chronic effects Phase 2.) Investigation of any direct acute or chronic effects of chlorophacinone upon of chlorophacinone upon Nicrophorus Nicrophorus adults and the adults and the subsequent ability of those adults to brood and produce subsequent ability of those adults to brood and produce normal progenynormal progeny

Adult beetles (128 total) were maintained for 28 Adult beetles (128 total) were maintained for 28 days on a no-choice diet.days on a no-choice diet.

Treatment: Homogenized ground beef Treatment: Homogenized ground beef containing 3.0 ppm chlorophacinone.containing 3.0 ppm chlorophacinone.

Control: Non-dosed homogenized ground beef.Control: Non-dosed homogenized ground beef. Beetles were observed daily for signs of Beetles were observed daily for signs of

aberrant behavior and scored for mortality. aberrant behavior and scored for mortality.



After the trial period, were then offered After the trial period, were then offered Japanese quail carcasses. Japanese quail carcasses.

Standard procedures used for production of Standard procedures used for production of ABB. ABB.

Treatment beetles were closely observed for Treatment beetles were closely observed for aberrant behavior during carcass burial, aberrant behavior during carcass burial, preparation and brooding. preparation and brooding.

The total number of young produced per brood The total number of young produced per brood were tallied, sexed and weighed. were tallied, sexed and weighed.

RESULTS/DISCUSSIONRESULTS/DISCUSSION

Variables measuredVariables measured

total number of beetles produced/brood, total number of beetles produced/brood, total number of beetles produced/carcass total number of beetles produced/carcass

weight, weight, weight/beetle, weight/beetle, estimated total brood weight/brood,estimated total brood weight/brood, total brood weight/carcass weight,total brood weight/carcass weight, total numbers of females/brood,total numbers of females/brood, total number of males/brood,total number of males/brood, proportion of males/brood. proportion of males/brood.


Phase 1.) Investigation of any acute or chronic effects of Phase 1.) Investigation of any acute or chronic effects of chlorophacinone upon chlorophacinone upon NicrophorusNicrophorus larvae developing in dosed larvae developing in dosed carcasses and the subsequent generation of adults produced carcasses and the subsequent generation of adults produced from those carcassesfrom those carcasses

Significant differences existed in rat carcass weights Significant differences existed in rat carcass weights between treatment and control. between treatment and control.

Difference was reflected in the raw unadjusted data. Difference was reflected in the raw unadjusted data. total number of beetles produced per brood.total number of beetles produced per brood. total brood weight.total brood weight.

Transforming data or adjusting for carcass weight.Transforming data or adjusting for carcass weight. Statistically significant differences disappeared with the Statistically significant differences disappeared with the

exception of mean number of females produced per brood.exception of mean number of females produced per brood. Difference may be attributable to average carcass weights Difference may be attributable to average carcass weights

between treatment and control .between treatment and control .



Over the duration of the 28 day trial feeding Over the duration of the 28 day trial feeding period using the no-choice dietsperiod using the no-choice diets 12.5 % of the control adults died (9.4% 12.5 % of the control adults died (9.4%

female/3.1% male). female/3.1% male). 4.7% of the treatment adults died (1.6% 4.7% of the treatment adults died (1.6%

female/3.1% male). female/3.1% male). Chlorophacinone has no direct negative Chlorophacinone has no direct negative

impact on acute mortality of adults.impact on acute mortality of adults.



In the second aspect of this experimental phase, In the second aspect of this experimental phase, the distribution of quail carcass weight was the distribution of quail carcass weight was carefully held to a relatively narrow range.carefully held to a relatively narrow range.

No significant differences occurred for any of the No significant differences occurred for any of the variables measured.variables measured.

It is believed that the lower number of brood It is believed that the lower number of brood produced in this experiment, relative to the first, produced in this experiment, relative to the first, which used rats as the carrion resource, may be which used rats as the carrion resource, may be attributed to either the age of the beetles and/or the attributed to either the age of the beetles and/or the use of a different type/condition of carrion.use of a different type/condition of carrion.

ConclusionsConclusions

Chlorophacinone would appear to have…Chlorophacinone would appear to have…

No negative impact on the survival, burial or No negative impact on the survival, burial or brooding of adult brooding of adult N. orbicollis.N. orbicollis.

No negative impact or the growth and development No negative impact or the growth and development of their larvae when carcasses contaminated with of their larvae when carcasses contaminated with chlorophacinone are used as breeding resources. chlorophacinone are used as breeding resources.

No direct negative impact on acute mortality of the No direct negative impact on acute mortality of the adults.adults.

No apparent indirect or secondary effects upon No apparent indirect or secondary effects upon adults and/or immature forms. adults and/or immature forms.

By implication, no impact on ABB, since the By implication, no impact on ABB, since the biology of ABB is so similar to that of biology of ABB is so similar to that of N. orbicollis.N. orbicollis.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsWe wish to thank the numerous individuals from the UnitedStates Fish and Wildlife Service, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, the Oklahoma Biological Survey, the St. Louis Zoo, Fort Chaffee, and others from The Ohio State University, for their wonderful efforts in support of this program.

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments ODNR Division of Wildlife: Carolyn Caldwell, Dave ODNR Division of Wildlife: Carolyn Caldwell, Dave

SwansonSwanson USFWS Endangered Species: Sarena Selbo, Angela USFWS Endangered Species: Sarena Selbo, Angela

Zimmerman, Mike Amaral Zimmerman, Mike Amaral University of Oklahoma: Kiki Hiott, Gary SchnellUniversity of Oklahoma: Kiki Hiott, Gary Schnell The Ohio State University: Foster Purrington, Carrie The Ohio State University: Foster Purrington, Carrie

Fisher, Dick Maxey, Matt Schroeder, Joshua BryantFisher, Dick Maxey, Matt Schroeder, Joshua Bryant The Wilds: Adam Davis, Steve Shurter, Evan Blumer The Wilds: Adam Davis, Steve Shurter, Evan Blumer Saint Louis Zoo: Jane Stevens, Bob MerzSaint Louis Zoo: Jane Stevens, Bob Merz

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsThis program is supported by funds from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife “Do Something Wild” tax check-off program.

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Historical Perspective