Volunteers carefully extract larvae from their tunnels. 06/23/06. Photo by Greg Thompson.

Volunteers at the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge assisted refuge staff in translocating Puritan tiger beetle larvae from a larger population in Connecticut to a smaller population at the only remaining site for these federally-listed (as threatened) beetles in Massachusetts. Following a lesson on how to locate and carefully excavate and safely extract third instar larva from their 18 inch deep burrows, the volunteers extracted 100 larvae and placed them in vials of sand in a cooler. The larvae were then transported to the Massachusetts site, placed in suitable habitat, and allowed to dig new burrows. 

Steady rains and high water levels caused the translocation efforts to be postponed three times, but conditions were suitable the fourth time the work was scheduled. Thunderstorms and overnight heavy rains caused us to hold the larvae overnight in a refrigerator before their "release" the day after the initial excavation.

This is an important recovery plan action to help stabilize the Massachusetts population of the beetle, which has been hovering between 30-70 adults for the past 8 years.  Past translocations appear to be working, as last year 200 adults were counted.

The Puritan tiger beetle is globally imperiled; it is found in only two places in the world, the Connecticut River (2 remaining sites of the 11 historic ones) and also along a small portion of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

Partners include Holyoke Gas and Electrtic Company.