Run over by a truck: A test of burying beetle survival of off-road vehicle traffic

The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is a federally protected, endangered insect species.  These beetles utilize carrion for nutrition and, if the carcass is the right size, for reproduction.  Much of their time is spent underground, during brood rearing, when at rest, and when overwintering.  Soil compaction as a result of off-road vehicle traffic may pose a risk to buried beetles.  We tested the survival of two burying beetle species, N. carolinus and N. marginatus, in response to  soil compaction from a parked vehicle and a moving vehicle.  Over 95% of buried beetles survived when a one ton pickup truck was driven over them.  However, beetles suffered greater mortality from a parked vehicle, with up to 50% mortality observed.  The results of this study may aid conservation efforts in areas with construction activities where the endangered American burying beetle is also found.