**American Burying Beetle *Nicrophorus Americanus***

**Trapping and Relocating Guidance**

**In Oklahoma**

**Compiled by the**

**US Fish and Wildlife Service**

**Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office**

**Updated September 8, 2005**

*[Introduction]{.underline}*

Trapping and relocating is a technique to remove ABBs from a given area
prior to project soil disturbance. Trapping and relocating methods
primarily follow the Service's "ABB Survey Guidance", but any captured
ABBs are relocated elsewhere. The "ABB Survey Guidance" is available at
\<http://ifw2es.fws.gov/Oklahoma/ beetle1.htm\>. The following "Trapping
and Relocating Guidance" takes precedence over conflicting guidance in
the "ABB Survey Guidance".

*[Time]{.underline}*

Same as Service's "ABB Survey Guidance".

*[Timing]{.underline}*

Same as Service's "ABB Survey Guidance".

*[Timeframe a Trap and Relocate Effort is Valid\*]{.underline}*

A trap and relocation effort is only valid for the immediate
corresponding project for which ABBs are being removed. Project soil
disturbance should commence within 5 days of completion of the trap and
relocation effort.

*[Trap and Relocate Effective Radius\*]{.underline}*

The effective radius of a trap and relocate effort is dependent on the
number of transects deployed. Each transect has an effective trapping
radius of approximately 0.5 miles.

*[Transect Spacing\*]{.underline}*

Transects should be spaced 0.5 miles apart on all projects, both linear
and non-linear.

*[Transect Placement\*]{.underline}*

Projects with a radius equal to or less than 0.5 miles from the center
to any given point should deploy transects outside the project boundary
so ABBs are not lured into the project site. Transects should be spaced
at 0.5 mile intervals and about 500 feet outside the perimeter of the
project.

Projects with a radius greater than 0.5 miles from the center to any
given point should deploy transects inside the project boundary for bait
to be effective. Transects should be spaced at 0.5 mile intervals so the
entire project area is within the effective trapping area of at least
one transect.

For nonlinear projects with a radius equal to or less than 0.5 miles
from the center to any given point, transects should be placed 500 feet
away and length-wise along the project perimeter.

For linear projects with a radius close to 0.5 miles in width (about
0.35 to 0.5 miles), transects should be deployed length-wise along both
long sides of the project at 0.5 mile intervals and about 500 feet away
from the project perimeter. For projects with a smaller width (less than
0.35 miles), transects should be deployed alternately along both sides
of the projects long boundaries at 0.5 mile intervals. (Meaning one
transect should be deployed on side A and then another transect deployed
0.5 linear miles away on side B, and so on.)

\* Trap and relocation radius and validity, and transect placement and
spacing are more restrictive for "ABB Trapping and Relocating Guidance"
than the Service's "ABB Survey Guidance" because ABB surveys are only
aimed at determining the presence or absence of ABBs. Trapping and
relocating is aimed at removing all ABBs from the project area.

\*Transects and trap design should follow the Services "ABB Survey
Guidance".

*[Minimum Trap and Relocate Effort]{.underline}*

Trapping and relocating efforts should begin at least 3 nights prior to
project site disturbance. If after these first 3 nights no ABBs are
captured, then the project can commence. However, if ABBs are captured
anytime during these first 3 nights, then trapping and relocating is to
continue until 3 consecutive nights pass where no ABBs are captured.
Once 3 consecutive nights pass in which no ABBs are captured, then the
project can commence. Once the area is disturbed (*i.e*., area cleared,
equipment operating, more or less constant human presence, etc) it is
assumed that the ABB would not be attracted to the disturbed area.

*[Minimum Project Size]{.underline}*

Transects can be deployed outside the project boundaries for project
areas where the center of the project is equal to or less than 0.5 miles
from any point along the project perimeter.

Project areas greater than 0.5 miles from the center to any point along
the perimeter are too large to deploy transects outside the project
boundary and be effective at luring ABBs to the traps. Instead transects
must be deployed inside the project boundary at 0.5 mile intervals so
the entire project area is within the effective trapping area of at
least one transect.

There are some projects where the rights-of-way or areas outside the
project boundary are unavailable or too small for transect deployment.
In these cases, transects can be deployed at 0.5 mile intervals inside
the project boundary so the entire project area is within the effective
trapping area of at least one transect.

*[Transect]{.underline}*

Same as the Service's "ABB Survey Guidance".

*[Traps]{.underline}*

Same as the Service's "ABB Survey Guidance".

*[Bait]{.underline}*

Same as the Service's "ABB Survey Guidance".

*[Planning]{.underline}*

Operators implementing projects during the ABBs active season, between
May 20 and September 20 in Oklahoma, can implement a trap and relocation
effort at any time during this period and then be able to proceed with
their project.

Operators implementing projects during the ABBs inactive season, between
September 20 and May 20 in Oklahoma, cannot implement a trap and
relocation effort during this period. Such an effort would be
ineffective because ABBs are burrowed underground. However, projects
implemented during the ABBs inactive season can be planned so that the
ABB is addressed prior to the onset of the ABBs inactive season.
Planning ahead in the ABBs active period for projects to be implemented
in the ABBs inactive period allows for the opportunity to remove ABBs
from the project area. Near the end of the ABBs active period, trapping
and relocating can be implemented in the project site to be disturbed
during the ABBs inactive season. This allows for the removal of ABBs
from the project area prior to the onset of the inactive season, thereby
allowing the commencement of project construction in the ABBs inactive
season.

Trapping/relocating at the end of the ABBs active season must be
conducted for 6 consecutive nights starting September 15. The increase
in required trapping/relocating nights from 3 to 6 is due to
temperatures in September starting to decline and ABBs becoming less
active. Consequently, greater effort is needed to lure ABBs out of a
project area.

Another option to avoid impacts to ABBs during their inactive period is
to postpone or move up the date of project implementation to coincide
with the ABBs active season so trapping and relocating can be
implemented.

*[Setting and Checking Traps]{.underline}*

Same as the Service's "ABB Survey Guidance".

*[Disturbed bait or traps]{.underline}*

Same as the Service's "ABB Survey Guidance".

*[Processing ABBs]{.underline}*

All ABBs captured and relocated must be marked with a numbered, colored
bee tag and their right elytra clipped.

*[ABB Release]{.underline}*

All relocations of ABBs must be coordinated and approved by the Service.
Release locations must have documented current occurrences of ABBs.
Prior written approval from the landowner must be obtained before ABBs
can be released.

*[Reporting]{.underline}*

A 'Trapping and Relocating Form' (Appendix 1) must be completed and
submitted to the appropriate Service field office within 30 days of
relocation effort. This form is available at
\<http://ifw2es.fws.gov/Oklahoma/beetle1.htm\>. In Oklahoma the form
should be submitted to the Oklahoma Field Office, 222 South Houston,
Suite A, Tulsa, OK 74127 or to abbcontact@fws.gov.

*[Accidental Death]{.underline}*

The handling of all endangered species is strictly regulated by the
Service. All accidental deaths of ABBs need to be accounted for and an
accidental death form completed and submitted to the Service. This form
is available at \<http://ifw2es.fws.gov/Oklahoma/beetle1.htm\>. In
Oklahoma the form should be submitted to the Oklahoma Field Office, 222
South Houston, Suite A, Tulsa, OK 74127 or to abbcontact@fws.gov.

Dead ABBs should be placed in cotton within a sealable, rigid container.
The permittee is to develop their own specimen number sequence to
follow. A label with the date found dead, permittee, legal description
(down to quarter section at least), and specimen number should be placed
inside each container to ensure future identification. Only place one
ABB specimen per container to avoid mixing up specimens. Place the
container on ice until the ABB can be prepared. Dead ABBs are to be
submitted to the Service or a Service approved facility.

**This guidance was developed from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
"ABB Survey Guidance" and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Working Group
on May 6, 2004. The purpose of this guidance is to streamline and update
American burying beetle trap and relocate recommendations among the
Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arlington, Texas field offices.**

**Appendix 1.** Number range CHAPTER**AMERICAN BURYING BEETLE RELOCATION
DATA FORM**

**Endangered Species Permit**
**\#**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

***Capture Location Data*** **Date**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**State**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **County**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> D/ M / Y

**Landowner**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**Handlers**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**General Location**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(nearest town, refuge, etc.)

**Legal Description**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**Latitude/Longitude**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(township, range, section to quarter)

**Projection**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(*e.g*., NAD 27)

***Release Location Data*** **Date**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**State**:\_\_\_\_\_ **County**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> D/ M / Y

**Landowner**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**Handler(s)**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **General
Location**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Proximity to state or federal wildlife management area
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Legal Description**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**Latitude/Longitude**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(township, range, section to quarter)

**Projection**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(*e.g*., NAD 27)

**Dominant Vegetative
Species**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**Primary Soil Type**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (Refer to
County Soil Survey)

**Temp\***: \_\_\_\_\_ ºF **Wind**\*:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**mph** **Cloud
Cover**\*:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_% **Rain**: yes or no \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**List each ABB captured and relocated**.

**Project Information**:

**Project Name**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Fish &
Wildlife Consultation #:**
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Project Type**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
**Project Size** (e.g., acres, feet, miles): \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Trap and Relocate Summary Information**

**Date Started**:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Dated Ended**:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Dates of 3 Days With No ABB Captures**:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\*Weather data refers to current conditions. Old=breeding adult, born
the previous year; Young=newly eclosed adult; Unknown=age or sex cannot
be determined. Tag# refer to color and number of bee tag. (*Updated
9/2005)*