Historical Occurrence and Present Status of Illinois Insect Species in Greatest Need of Conservation.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant T-38P.
C. H. Dietrich, PI.
PURPOSE: This project will create a database of specimens of all insect species in greatest need of conservation (SGNC) present in the collection of the Illinois Natural History Survey, the state's oldest and largest collection of Illinois insects. Because many listed species have not been collected recently in Illinois and their present conservation status is unknown, sites where the species have been documented previously will be surveyed to determine whether the species are still present.
OBJECTIVES:
Job 1. Create comprehensive, Internet-accessible database of insect SGNC using data from specimens in the Illinois Natural History Survey insect collection.
1.1. Verify identifications of insect SGNC specimens in INHS collection.
1.2. Georeference locality data from specimen labels; enter data into database.
1.3. Make data searchable via INHS Insect Collection website.
Job 2. Determine through field sampling whether or not these species persist at localities where they were present historically; include specimen records for newly collected vouchers to the database.
2.1. Conduct field surveys for insect SGNC at historical localities.
2.2. Prepare voucher specimens and verify identifications.
2.3. Enter new records into database; deposit vouchers in INHS collection.
Job 3. Prepare final report summarizing historical and current distribution data for insect SGNC.