Belly Up to the Cobble Bar

Cobblestone tiger beetles are found in 11 states, plus New Brunswick, Canada. A study in New York State published in American Midland Naturalist found that while one beetle moved 322 meters from its original capture point, the rest were recaptured at points ranging from zero to 123 meters away. One male that was captured three times over 21 days was found at distances from six to 68 meters from his original point of capture.

A total of five beetles moved between cobble bars during the study. Sometimes the beetles traveled a distance farther than the next cobble bar. The study found cobblestone tiger beetles in cobble bars with greater interior areas and higher shrub covers than other cobble bars. The paper includes a habitat model.

The idea was to collect data for a management plan, and it could contribute to your own.

Read the paper (with subscription or pay) here. Or get a free PDF here.

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