Center for Conservation of the American Burying Beetle

Background

As a bright red-orange insect that embalms its victims with naturally secreted fluid, the American Burying Beetle is a necessary part of our ecosystem. These insects are responsible for recycling decomposing components back into the environment. Unfortunately, the American burying beetle has been on the decline for many years now from habitat loss and fragmentation. Once found in 35 states, by 1989 the only known population was in Rhode Island. Since its listing as an endangered species, field surveys have discovered populations in six other states. Four of these states - Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma - share portions of their borders with Missouri. All four of these states have found beetles in habitats with similar soil to several of Missouri's natural divisions such as prairies, savannas and Mississippi lowlands. With adequate research on what has caused this animal to become lost, the species may hopefully thrive in Missouri once again.

St. Louis Interest

The Saint Louis Zoo has a commitment to working with conservation organizations to assist with declining populations of native flora and fauna. The Zoo believes the American burying beetle still resides in the state and the American Burying Beetle Conservation Center will hopefully discover a population of this endangered species. Additionally, the Center has started a successful breeding program that has already produced more than 1,000 American burying beetles here on the Zoo campus. We are now working with other conservation organizations to reintroduce captive beetles to the wild, and helping convene leading experts through conferences at the Zoo.

Goal

To locate, monitor and study populations of American burying beetle in Missouri and develop a captive breeding population to reintroduce to Missouri habitats. Additionally, plan to develop a Species Survival Plan from captive population.

Conservation Science

Surveying for the endangered beetles was the majority of our efforts throughout the past year, as well as surveying many questions that need to be answered, from the beetles preferences on carrion type to habitat preference, both which appear to vary from state to state. There are many other questions to be answered about this beetle's biology. Using common burying beetles we hope to also do research on pheromone attraction and bait preference to help clarify some of these questions and enhance our ability to find the endangered species in our own state.

Educational opportunities will provide local interest to Missouri residents and our other visitors to the Zoo. As survey work and research progresses we can present information in the containment room window, keeping visitors informed of our progress.

Partners

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Missouri Department of Conservation
The Nature Conservancy
Missouri Department of Natural Resources