Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Arthro-Pod Ep 184: Salt Creek Tiger Beetle with Dr. Gary Brewer

In this episode of Arthropod, we explore the complex challenges of habitat restoration and species conservation through the lens of the endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle. Hosts are joined by special guest Dr. Gary Brewer to discuss the beetle’s unique ecological needs and the collaborative efforts to protect it—ranging from captive rearing and reintroduction projects to public outreach, community art, and the ongoing hurdles of conservation work.


Photo credit: UNL Department of Entomology
 

Guest: Dr. Gary Brewer, Professor of Insect Management, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Photo credit: UNL Department of Entomology

Photo credit: UNL Department of Entomology

Photo credit: UNL Department of Entomology



The City of Lincoln, Nebraska

Saline Wetlands. https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks-Facilities/Saline-Wetlands.

Saline Wetlands Conservation Partnership.  https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/parks-amp-rec/saline-wetlands/conservationpartnershipbrochure.pdf.

Henry Doorly Zoohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFDW90z5R5A.

Lower Platte South Natural Resources District.

https://www.lpsnrd.org/endangered-salt-creek-tiger-beetle-release.

https://www.lpsnrd.org/sites/default/files/files/89/2021-7-9_saline_wetlands.pdf.

Nebraska Game and Parkshttps://outdoornebraska.gov/learn/nebraska-wildlife/nebraska-animals/insects/salt-creek-tiger-beetle/.

Nebraska Public Media. The Salt Creek tiger beetle: Lincoln's special bug. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/the-salt-creek-tiger-beetle-lincolns-special-bug/.

Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center.

https://topekazoo.org/conservation_sustainability/salt-creek-tiger-beetle-2/.

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Platte Basin Time Lapse Project. https://plattebasintimelapse.com/greats-of-the-plains-frank-shoemaker/.

Spomer SM, Brust ML, Backlund DC, et al. 2008. Tiger Beetles of South Dakota & Nebraska. Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologyfacpub/1064.

Spomer SM, Brewer GJ, Fritz MI, et al. 2015. Determining Optimum Soil Type and Salinity for Rearing the Federally Endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle, Cicindela (Ellipsoptera) nevadica lincolniana Casey (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae). kent. 88(4):444–449. https://doi.org/10.2317/0022-8567-88.4.444

Spomer SM, Dunn SM, Fritz MI. 2021. A 30-year history of salt creek tiger beetle, Ellipsoptera nevadica lincolniana (Casey, 1916) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), visual

population estimates. Coleopt. Bull. 75(3):512–515. https://doi.org/10.1649/0010-065X-75.3.512.

US Fish & Wildlife Service

https://www.fws.gov/species/salt-creek-tiger-beetle-cicindela-nevadica-lincolniana

https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/342

Xerces Society. Salt Creek Tiger Beetle. https://xerces.org/endangered-species/species-profiles/at-risk-beetles/salt-creek-tiger-beetle.