Foundational baseline science for an under-studied, conservation-priority species.

Citation. Gwiazdowski, R. A., Andersen, J.C., Knisley, C. B., Griffin, B. P., and Elkinton, J. S. First Account of Phylogeographic Variation, Larval Characters, and Laboratory Rearing of the Endangered Cobblestone Tiger Beetle Cicindelidia marginipennis, Dejean, 1831 with Observations of Their Natural History. Insects 11 (10), 708. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11100708

The Question. The cobblestone tiger beetle, Cicindelidia marginipennis (Dejean, 1831) a North American species specializing in riparian habitats from New Brunswick, Canada, to Alabama in the US is threatened or endangered across its range. Basic biology was undocumented, which severely limits conservation actions.

ABC’s Contribution. ABC led the 2019–2020 project, requested by the USFWS New England Field Office. The work produced range-wide genetic assessment (mtDNA), descriptions of all three larval instars, and the first successful captive rearing of the species.

Findings. The paper provides the foundational biological reference for C. marginipennis, enabling defensible surveys and captive rearing protocols for future population augmentation.

For Projects Like This. ABC takes on baseline research for under-studied species, from life history and phylogeography to captive rearing protocols. We’re a good first call when an agency or NGO needs the science to act on.