NELSONVILLE, Ohio -- The Wayne National Forest recently released 250 pairs of the American Burying Beetle (ABB) onto the Forest in an effort to reintroduce populations of this endangered species.

About 30 people made up of Wayne National Forest Athens Ranger District personnel, partners and volunteers released the beetles in northern Athens County. In 2006 and 2007, the area was surveyed to ensure no American burying beetles already occurred in the area.

The release sites will be monitored for signs of breeding activity by checking for larvae and, later, new adult beetles. The last known record of an American Burying Beetle in the State of Ohio occurred in 1974 in Hocking County.

"The ABB was once a part of the diverse historic fauna found in the Buckeye state. I am a firm believer that no native species is insignificant enough to not care about its continued existence," said Athens ranger district wildlife biologist, Lynda Andrews, in a news release.

The American burying beetle was designated a federally endangered species in 1989 -- the first insect species to be so recognized. The beetle is about 1 to 1.5 inches in length with orange and black bodies, and feeds on dead animals, or carrion, as larvae and adults.

The Wayne National Forest 2006 Land and Resource Management Plan says the Forest will cooperate in efforts to reintroduce the American Burying Beetle. The forest is also following procedures described in U.S. Forest Service Manual 2674.

Gary C. Chancey/Wayne National Forest

The beetle release process involved digging holes, or plugs, at specially selected sites, placing a quail carcass and a pair of tagged beetles in each cavity. The plug sites will be monitored for signs of breeding activity by checking for larvae and, later, new adult beetles.

Purchase this photo