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Distribution, Life History, and Habitat Characterization of the Threatened Delta Green Ground Beetle at Jepson Prairie-Entomological Consulting Services

 

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Listed Species

The Delta Green Ground Beetle is known scientifically as Elaphrus viridis (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and was recognized as a threatened species by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1980.  It is a terrestrial beetle, commonly referred to by the acronym “DGGB”, and is known only from the Jepson Prairie and vicinity in Solano County.  There adult DGGBs have usually been observed at the shorelines of playa pools and vernal pools, as well as on barrens in the Valley Grassland-vernal pool habitat that characterizes this region.  A portion of the Jepson Prairie region, centered around Olcott Lake, has been recognized as critical habitat for the DGGB by the USFWS.  
 

Project Description

The ground beetle genus Elaphrus consists of about 35 species worldwide, distributed exclusively in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.  Several taxa are associated with mud and wetland habitats and particular soil types.  For this reason, the genus is commonly called the Marsh Ground Beetles.  For those species whose ecologies have been studied, the preferred microhabitats are muddy bare ground or sparsely vegetated areas with little accumulation of duff.  Related species are known to occur in mud flats, along shores, in bogs, and in marsh habitats.  
 
Since the DGGB’s recognition as a threatened species, little information on its distribution, natural history, identification of immature stages, and understanding of determinants of good habitat quality has accrued.  Although substantial portions of the Jepson Prairie region are protected, the lack of basic natural history information on the DGGB hampers habitat management and conservation efforts to benefit the beetle.  Most historical and recent surveys for the beetle have generally been focused at or near Olcott Lake.  Specific life history information on the DGGB is not available. Habitat management efforts to date have primarily focused on maintaining the native grasses and forbs that characterize the Valley Grassland plant community and controlling invasive plants.  Cattle and sheep grazing, as well as controlled burns, have been used to manage the vegetation in the grasslands.  However, the hooves of grazers may modify the muddy shorelines where the DGGB lives and may render these areas unsuitable for habitation by the DGGB.  
 
We propose to conduct a long term study of the DGGB, for a period of approximately 3 to 5 years that will acquire the aforementioned missing information, which can then be applied to formulate appropriate recommendations for habitat management to benefit the beetle.  The goals of our study are to:

  1. a) conduct field surveys to provide up-to-date information on the geographic distribution of the DGGB throughout the greater Jepson Prairie area;
  2. b) formally describe the immature stages (i.e., eggs, larval, and pupae) and life history of the DGGB; and
  3. c) identify important features of DGGB habitat for all of its life stages. 

Our initial funding request is to conduct distributional surveys for DGGB adults during its winter of 2006—2007 and spring of 2007 activity period.  Once we have a better understanding of the geographic distribution of the DGGB throughout the Jepson Prairie region, our subsequent research efforts will focus on the description of immature stages, life history of the beetle, and characterization of the beetle’s habitat(s).  

Partnerships

We anticipate that partnerships will be established with several agencies, property owners, companies, and organizations interested in the Jepson Prairie, which will aid us in successfully completing this project.  Dr. Arnold formerly served on a scientific advisory panel for the Solano County Water Agency (SCWA) during development of its Habitat Conservation Plan.  We anticipate working closely with the Solano Land Trust, which manages two preserves (Jepson Prairie Preserve and Wilcox Ranch) known to support the DGGB.  In addition, Dr. Arnold has previously worked with several utility and energy companies whose facilities cross portions of the Jepson Prairie, as well as Travis Air Force Base.  Thus, companies such as PG&E, Chevron, and Shell, as well as the Western Area Power Administration, will be contacted to access their right-of-ways that traverse the Jepson Prairie.  We also plan to contact various private landowners whose properties support potentially suitable habitat for the DGGB to request permission to conduct surveys.  The Solano Land Trust and SCWA may be instrumental in assisting us with such contacts.  The entomological collections and other resources at the California Academy of Sciences will be available for the duration of this study.  We will apply for a recovery permit from the USFWS to conduct these studies.  Dr. Arnold previously held a recovery permit for the DGGB.  Existing aerial photography available from SCWA and/or other partners will be utilized to illustrate our survey locations and findings in a geographic information system.

 

 

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