2018 Beetle BioBlitz Results

This article was originally published in The Midden – Great Basin National Park: Vol. 18, No. 1, Summer 2018.

BioBlitz participants consult with Nevada state entomologist Jeff Knight about the beetles they found.

NPS Photo

by Gretchen Baker, Ecologist

Over 40 participants gathered over three days for Great Basin National Park’s tenth annual BioBlitz. Nevada State Entomologist Jeff Knight led the effort, focused on beetles.

Attendees included the Nevada Department of Agriculture, Nevada Division of Forestry, Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Bristlecone Audubon Society, US Forest Service Forest Health Protection Program, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, and Utah Master Naturalist Program from Utah State University, as well as citizen scientists from Nevada, Utah, and California.

The BioBlitz opened with a workshop about beetle biodiversity and how to collect beetles, given by Jeff Knight. This was followed by a demonstration in the field of how to collect using various methods such as sweep nets and hand collecting with forceps during the day and using light traps at night as well as Berlese funnels. Participants then had options of where they wanted to go to search for beetles for each day and night. Habitats from the Great Basin Visitor Center at 5,300 feet to the top of Wheeler Peak at 13,063 feet were visited, including streams, wetlands, woodlands, sagebrush, and grassy areas.

BioBlitz Participants use a microscope to see their finds better. A workshop at the beginning of the BioBlitz informed participants of what to look for.

NPS Photo

On the third day, US Forest Service forest health entomologist Danielle Malesky gave a talk at the 10,000-foot high Wheeler Peak Campground amphitheater about mountain pine beetles. She described their life history and explained how they use trees and how the USFS and the park are partnering to help high priority trees, such as those found around the campground. She demonstrated how to use the pheromone Verbenone to send a chemical signal that the campground trees were already full of beetles so that other beetles would go elsewhere. She also emphasized how important it is to buy local firewood, as transporting firewood across county or state lines can bring new pests and insects to an area that can decimate those trees.

The BioBlitz concluded with a catered lunch by Salt and Sucre sponsored by the Great Basin National Park Foundation and Western National Parks Association (WNPA), a talk about the preliminary results, and raffle prizes sponsored by WNPA. Over 500 specimens were collected during the BioBlitz. Preliminary identifications estimated 65 species added to the park list, including numerous flower and leaf beetles. Nevada State Entomologist Jeff Knight took the beetle specimens back to his lab and will continue identifying them over the next months.

Next year’s BioBlitz will focus on bats in August. If you'd like to get more information email the bioblitz email.

Great Basin National Park thanks all who participated in the Beetle BioBlitz, supporting biodiversity in the national parks.