Wisconsin's Threatened & Endangered Beetles

Although beetles may appear plentiful in nature, two species of Wisconsin's beetles are endangered with extinction. One of these, the giant carrion beetle (American burying beetle), which is also Federally Endangered, has populations in only four states and no known existing populations in this state. The last recorded observation was in 1953 in LaCrosse County. Its population decline is probably due to the need for carrion the size of doves or chipmunks (loss of the passenger pigeon has been mentioned), fragmentation of habitat affecting prey species, and creation of edge supporting competitive vertebrate scavengers. Also suggested is the proliferation of artificial lights, which attracts adults.

Knobel's riffle beetle has been found at three sites on the lower Wisconsin River in Richland County. This species requires a constant flow of water, little sediment, moderate oxygen, and presence of coarse woody debris. Thus, protection and conservation of Wisconsin's rivers and streams is vital to the survival of the riffle beetle.

Species information from the book The Endangered and Threatened Invertebrates of Wisconsin:

• Giant Carrion Beetle/American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) END
• Knobel's Riffle Beetle (Stenelmis knobeli) END