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Current Status:

The species is vulnerable to extinction primarily because of a drastic reduction in its range. Historically, the species' range covered 35 States and 3 Canadian Provinces. Currently, populations are known to occur in only three or perhaps four States.

Achievements:

The last documented record for American burying beetles in Massachusetts is a single specimen from Penikese Island in Buzzards Bay during 1947. For the past 3 years, American burying beetles from Block Island, Rhode Island, have been bred at Boston University and released on Penikese Island. This is the first such restoration effort for this species and one of only a few in the United States involving endangered insects. More than 150 American burying beetles have been released on Penikese Island, and while results are preliminary, natural recruitment is occurring and the outlook is optimistic.

The greatest recovery achievement for this species in the past 2 years has been the greatly expanded survey efforts in the Midwest, and the resulting discovery of beetles in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. A few specimens have also been observed in north central Nebraska. With these populations, the species appears to be more secure than at the time of listing.

Current Recovery Needs:

Necessary recovery actions include reestablishment of populations within the beetle's former range, conducting surveys for additional populations, monitoring and protecting any newly discovered populations, identifying potential reintroduction sites, and completing genetic studies. Monitoring of the Penikese Island population should continue to determine if the pilot reintroduction effort will result in a self-sustaining population.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife received $1,000 in both FY 1991 and FY 1992 to coordinate the Penikese Island reintroduction.

Partnerships

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: Division personnel coordinated the Penikese Island reintroduction effort.

Boston University: The University raised beetles for the Penikese Island reintroduction and successfully released them. It also prepared a captive breeding protocol that has been distributed to a number of interested institutions.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 9/27/91.