Chapter 3 North Carolina Species
do not attempt to determine the conservation concern for any of these species, nor do staff seek protection for insects per se. A benefit of this work is that some stream reaches identified as High-Quality Waters or Outstanding Resource Waters through this process receive a significant amount of protection. • The NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) is the only state agency involved in directly determining the conservation status of individual insect species and other invertebrates and using this information to help guide ecosystem conservation. NCNHP biologists conduct surveys for a few selected groups including moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, and dragonflies (the results of several of these surveys are available as NCNHP reports). NCNHP biologists also collaborate with the DWR Biological Assessment Branch in using survey data to identify rare species of aquatic insects. NCNHP staff work in partnership with the USFWS to conduct status surveys on several species of rare insects such as surveys on the St. Francis’ Satyr that led to it being listed as an endangered species. The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) has authority and jurisdiction over those insect species deemed to be pests for plant and forest trees. Otherwise, insects and other non-crustacean arthropods are not protected by state law, nor are other groups of invertebrates except for mollusks and crustaceans. Yet several insect species are among the most endangered of North Carolina species, primarily due to wide use of pesticides, herbicides, and other biological control agents or from the loss of particular types of habitats. The NCWRC does not have jurisdiction over species discussed in this section. Most biologists focused on insects are associated with universities or private businesses (i.e., home pest companies, agrichemical and pesticide manufacturers). Knowledge levels and data availability for insects as a group and terrestrial snails are among the lowest of any animal group in the state. However, these taxa are an integral part of the ecosystems they share with other invertebrate and vertebrate species, as well as being vital for agriculture. Recognizing that insects fall outside the bounds of the NCWRC’s prioritization process used by the Taxa Teams (see Appendix 3, Reference Document 3-1), we have used recommendations from species experts from federal and state agencies, conservation partners, and universities, and have reviewed NCNHP occurrence data to identify conservation priorities for insects. We have incorporated species and habitat priorities and conservation recommendations for these groups into the SWAP where possible. For this section of the SWAP, these groups were considered and recommended by species experts: Bees, Beetles, Butterflies and Moths, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Grasshoppers, Macrobenthic EPTs, and Spiders. One true bug species was also recommended and is included in the SGCN list for insects. Table 3-10 in Appendix 3 lists SGCN priority insect species that occur in North Carolina.
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
3 - 146
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator