[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20161]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 17, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 90-day 
Finding on a Petition To List the Scaled Dune Buprestid Beetle

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of petition finding.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90-
day finding on a petition to list the scaled dune buprestid beetle 
(Lepismadora algodones) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act). The Service determines that substantial information has 
not been presented indicating that the requested action may be 
warranted.

DATES: Comments from all interested parties will be accepted until 
further notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this proposal should be 
sent to the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. 
The complete file for this action is available for public inspection, 
by appointment, during normal business hours at the address listed 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gail Kobetich at the above address (telephone 619/431-9440).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1533) (Act), requires that the Service make a 
finding on whether a petition to list, delist or reclassify a species 
presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating 
that the petitioned action may be warranted. To the maximum extent 
practicable, this finding is to be published promptly in the Federal 
Register. The Service determines that the subject petition did not 
present substantial information indicating that the requested action 
may be warranted.
    On August 10, 1992, the Service received a petition to list the 
scaled dune Buprestid beetle (Lepismadora algodones) as an endangered 
species. The petition was submitted by Dr. Charles Bellamy of 
Escondido, California and was dated August 5, 1992. The petition stated 
that L. algodones is imperiled because its current distribution is 
small, its population size is low, and its habitat is being depleted 
and degraded by off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
    The scaled dune buprestid beetle was first collected in 1985 along 
the western edge of the Algodones Sand Hills, near Glamis, Imperial 
County, California (Bellamy 1992). The beetle was first described in 
1987 by R.K. Velten (Velten and Bellamy 1987). It is quite distinct 
from other buprestids in North America (Bellamy 1992). The species has 
been collected from its type locality every year since 1985.
    The scaled dune buprestid beetle occupies ecotonal vegetation 
between Sonoran creosote bush scrub and southern dune scrub along the 
perimeter of the Algodones Sand Hills, an area of extensive sand dunes 
approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) in length. Dominant shrubs in 
this habitat include Larrea divaricata (creosote), Ephedra sp., and 
Eriogonum deserticola (Imperial buckwheat). A variety of perennial 
herbs as also present in this habitat. Adult beetles have been observed 
feeding on Tiquila plicata (plicate coldenia), but no information is 
available on larval hosts or the species' population biology.
    The Bureau of Land Management owns the lands supporting the beetle. 
Portions of the Algodones Sand Hills are heavily used by OHVs and are 
completely denuded of vegetation. A large portion of the sand hills are 
closed to OHV use, and much of the open section of the dunes are 
unaffected by OHVs, because the area is not easily accessible.
    Dr. Bellamy (pers. comm. 1992) suggested that the scaled dune 
buprestid is restricted to a single large colony, located in the closed 
portion of the dunes. He acknowledge that seemingly suitable habitat 
exists along the perimeter of the Algodones Sand Hills. Tiquila 
plicata, an adult food plant, is common along the perimeter of the 
dunes. Dr. Bellamy indicated that much of the area has not been 
surveyed because it is inaccessible without using OHVs, which would 
potentially damage the species habitat.
    The Service has carefully reviewed the petition and interviewed Dr. 
Bellamy. Based upon this information, the Service has determined that 
substantial information has not been presented indicating that the 
listing of the scaled dune buprestid may be warranted. This finding is 
based upon a lack of data for the vast majority of apparently suitable 
habitat, coupled with a lack of documentation of threats facing this 
species.

References Cited

Bellamy, C.L. 1991. Petition for listing the scaled dune buprestid 
Lepismadora algodones Velten (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) unpublished 
document.
Velten, R.K., and C.L. Bellamy. 1987. A new genus and species of 
North American Coiroebini Bedel with a discussion of its 
relationship within the tribe (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). The 
Coleopterists Bulletin (41(2):185-192.

Author

    This notice was prepared by Ellen Berryman, Carlsbad Field Office, 
Carlsbad Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544.

    Dated: August 10, 1994.
Russell D. Earnest,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
[FR Doc. 94-20161 Filed 8-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M