American Burying Beetles in South Dakota Charlene “Charlie” Bessken US Fish and Wildlife Service Pierre, SD Photo by Doug Backlund

The American Burying Beetle in South Dakota Specimens at South Dakota State University Insect Museum show that the species occurred in eastern SD in 1945, and one specimen is from Haakon County in Western SD. Specimens at South Dakota State University Insect Museum show that the species occurred in eastern SD in 1945, and one specimen is from Haakon County in Western SD. Numerous searches have been conducted in the state but no ABB were found until Numerous searches have been conducted in the state but no ABB were found until In 1995, 41 ABB were captured and released in southern Gregory and Tripp Counties, SD. In 1995, 41 ABB were captured and released in southern Gregory and Tripp Counties, SD.

Former Occurrence Haakon County Union County Brookings County

Gary Marrone Doug Backlund

Keya Paha River Survey Area Black = trap sites Red = captures of individual ABB

Approx. 865 sq. mi. of habitat with 544 sq. mi. of habitat with a core population

Highlights from 2005 (June) 168 (115 male/53 female) total captured and tagged in 410 trap nights =.41 per trap night 168 (115 male/53 female) total captured and tagged in 410 trap nights =.41 per trap night 37 (22 male/15 female) recaptured once and 8 recaptured twice = 45 recaptures for.11 per trap night 37 (22 male/15 female) recaptured once and 8 recaptured twice = 45 recaptures for.11 per trap night Total of tagged and recaptured beetles = 213 for.52 per trap night Total of tagged and recaptured beetles = 213 for.52 per trap night 1 female was tagged on June 18 th and recaptured on the 25 th at the same site. This is the longest time interval between a tagging and recapture. 1 female was tagged on June 18 th and recaptured on the 25 th at the same site. This is the longest time interval between a tagging and recapture. 9 recaptures were at different sites from where they were tagged. All others were recaptured at the same site. 9 recaptures were at different sites from where they were tagged. All others were recaptured at the same site. 2 ABB were captured 2.78 miles from the previous capture site. 2 ABB were captured 2.78 miles from the previous capture site. This information is from SD Game, Fish And Parks Report

Highlights from 2005 (August) 323 (164 male/159 female) ABB captured, marked and released in 450 trap nights =.718 per trap night 323 (164 male/159 female) ABB captured, marked and released in 450 trap nights =.718 per trap night Only 14 were adults, 309 were tenerals Only 14 were adults, 309 were tenerals 66 (38 male/28 female) ABB recaptured once, 10 recaptured twice and one recaptured 3 times 66 (38 male/28 female) ABB recaptured once, 10 recaptured twice and one recaptured 3 times Total of tagged an recaptured beetles = 400 for.81 per trap night Total of tagged an recaptured beetles = 400 for.81 per trap night 1 female and 1 male tagged on August 12 were recaptured on the 19 th. 1 female and 1 male tagged on August 12 were recaptured on the 19 th. 26 recaptures were at different sites from where they were tagged. 26 recaptures were at different sites from where they were tagged. Greatest distance between recaptures was 2.8 miles Greatest distance between recaptures was 2.8 miles This information is from SD Game, Fish And Parks Report

Highlights from 2006 (August) 82 (5 adult/77 tenerals) (38 male/44 female) ABB were captured in 57 trap nights. 82 (5 adult/77 tenerals) (38 male/44 female) ABB were captured in 57 trap nights. The catch per trap night this year was over 3 times the previous highest catch rate reported in The catch per trap night this year was over 3 times the previous highest catch rate reported in The adult to teneral ratio was 1:15.4 – nearly 3 times the previous high reached in 2000 The adult to teneral ratio was 1:15.4 – nearly 3 times the previous high reached in 2000 This year’s record abundance of teneral ABB’s may be contributed to extreme heat and drought conditions causing abnormally high mortality of vertebrates. This year’s record abundance of teneral ABB’s may be contributed to extreme heat and drought conditions causing abnormally high mortality of vertebrates.

IIIIIIIV TOTAL PTN N. americanus N. carolinus N. hybridus N. marginatus N. obscurus N. orbicollis N. pustulatus N. tomentosus H. ramosa N. surinamensis N. americana O. noveboracense T. lapponicus TRAP NIGHTS SILPHIDS CAPTURED IN SOUTHCENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA FROM AUGUST 1995