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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

Endangered Species

Any species at risk of going extinct.

Extinct Species

When a species no longer exists on earth, having suffered an extinction.

Threatened Species

A species that is vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.

Habitat

The natural environment in which a species, or group of species, lives.

Species

A group of closely related organisms that are very similar to each other and capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

Learn More

GET INVOLVED

Visit the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s Habitat Conservation team’s plan and see how you can get involved.

The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP)

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.

Comal Springs Riffle Beetle Species Information (PDF)

STUDY

The Fish and Wildlife Service also study these critters and have created fact sheets.

Center for Biological Diversity

PODCAST

The Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle begins his life as a worm-like grub.

Although they live in water, Comal Springs Dryopid Beetles can’t swim.

Comal Springs Riffle Beetles have tiny wings but they can’t fly.

Comal Springs Riffle Beetle larvae have been collected in Landa Park in New Braunfels.

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

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

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

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.