Guardians of the Aquifer: Meet the Beetles
Watch: The Comal Springs Riffle Beetle (3:58 mins)
Olivia Ybarra, Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinator, explains the concept of indicator species and why the Riffle Beetle is so important to the Edwards Aquifer.
Vocabulary
Any species at risk of going extinct.
A species that is vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.
Learn More
GET INVOLVED
Visit the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s Habitat Conservation team’s plan and see how you can get involved.
READ
Protecting the environment of the beetles requires a partnership between government and people; read a sample press-release authorizing the official protection for this habitat.
STUDY
The Fish and Wildlife Service also study these critters and have created fact sheets.
Podcast
Videos
Watch: Guardians of the Aquifer: Meet the Endangered Beetles (0:20 secs)
Watch the Comal Springs Riffle Beetle and the Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle move through their underwater habitat.
Activities
Draw The Riffle Beetle
Beetles exist in most environments throughout the world. The Comal Springs Riffle Beetle (that lives in the Edwards Aquifer ecosystem) has a special adaptation to swim better. Learn how to draw Comal Springs Riffle Beetle and learn about its adaptations with this download.
Color Reina the Riffle Beetle
Comal Springs Riffle Beetles only grow to about 0.02 cm. That’s about the size of a strawberry seed!
My, How You’ve Changed
Try your hand at creating a creature with adaptations designed only for the environment YOU create in your mind. This download will guide you through a 2-D and 3-D creation.