Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle

Species information

This chapter provides a review of progress towards the protection and recovery of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle in Ontario from 2007 to 2017.

Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle (Brychius hungerfordi) is a globally rare aquatic beetle belonging to the family Haliplidae. The adult is yellowish-brown, about four millimetres long, and marked with irregular dark stripes. This species can be distinguished from other Brychius species by its elongated torpedo-shaped body, the shape of the dorsal plates between the head and the wings and the finely-toothed margins of the wing covers. It is the only Brychius species found in the Great Lakes region of North America. Very little is known about the life history of this particular aquatic species but, assuming it is similar to other Brychius species, eggs are laid in the spring and early summer in cavities chewed in aquatic plants and algae. The larva feed on aquatic plants, overwinter and emerge from the water to pupate in the moist edges of the watercourse the following spring. Adults subsequently emerge, re-enter the water and start the cycle again.

This species has a very restricted range in North America, where it is found only in the Great Lakes region in Ontario and Michigan. In Ontario, it has been found in three watercourses in Bruce County: the Rankin River, the Saugeen River and the North Saugeen River. As recently as 2011, surveys on the Rankin River showed that Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle was present. The North Saugeen population is now considered to be possibly extirpated, based on the results of relatively extensive surveys at this site since the original discovery of the population in 1986. With the exception of one beetle collected in 2001, this species has not been detected since 2001, and may no longer occur here.

Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle is found in the moderate to fast-flowing waters of pristine small to medium-sized watercourses where the currents provide good aeration and cool water temperatures. Other known aquatic habitat features include an inorganic substrate and high pH levels. The presence of the algae Dichotomosiphon tuberosus is important as a food source for the larvae. At all Ontario locations, the species has been found within 1.5 kilometres downstream of weirs and dams; despite additional surveys at similar sites, no more individuals of the species have been found. However, it is worth noting that it is difficult to detect the presence of the species, due to its very small size and the fact that it occurs at very low densities. It is possible that operation of in-water built structures creates suitable ecological conditions for the species, but additional research is required to learn more about this insect and its habitat preferences.

In Ontario, the species faces several threats to its survival and recovery. Landscape-scale threats that alter or destroy aquatic habitat include urban development and runoff from large-scale agricultural operations; local threats include wetland degradation and removal of built water control structures. Decreases in annual stream flows attributed to climate change have the potential to degrade habitat for the species. Predation may also strongly influence distribution and abundance. In general, there are significant knowledge gaps that need to be addressed including the species’ distribution and abundance in Ontario, specific habitat needs, and life history.

Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle is listed as endangered at both the provincial level (Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List) and federal level (Schedule 1 under the Species at Risk Act). Globally, it is considered to be critically imperiled (NatureServe Explorer).

Provincial status

The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) assessed Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle as endangered in 2011. As a result, it was added to the SARO List under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA or the Act) in 2012. In future assessments, COSSARO may consider information gained through protection and recovery actions regarding the species’ threats and trends in population and distribution.

Species and habitat protection

Protecting Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle and its habitat are key components in the implementation of the ESA and continue to be government-led actions as identified in the government response statement (GRS). As an endangered species, Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle has been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken under the ESA since it was listed in 2012. In addition, the species’ habitat has been protected from being damaged or destroyed since 2012. Habitat protection for the species was initially based on the general habitat definition in the ESA. The habitat of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle is now protected through a habitat regulation that came into force in 2015.

The government developed a regulation (Ontario Regulation 242/08, section 27.4) to provide clarity to the public and others on what areas are protected as Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle habitat. The regulated habitat includes areas that are required by the species to carry out its life processes within its range in Ontario. The habitat regulation was developed based on information about the habitat needs of the species as well as social and economic factors, collected from a variety of sources including comments received through public consultation.

Any person who negatively impacts Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle or its habitat without prior authorization may be prosecuted under the ESA.

Recovery strategy

A recovery strategy for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle was published on January 11, 2013 which was within the timeline required by the ESA. Recovery strategies are advice to government and represent the best available scientific knowledge. The strategy identifies the habitat needs of the species and the threats that it faces, while recommending objectives and approaches for its protection and recovery. The recovery strategy also includes recommendations on the areas of habitat to be considered in the development of a habitat regulation.

Government response statement

The government published the GRS for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle on October 11, 2013 which was within the timeline required by the ESA. The GRS is the Government of Ontario’s species-specific policy on what is needed to protect and recover the species, and includes an associated recovery goal.

To help achieve this goal, the government leads, supports and prioritizes recovery actions identified in the GRS. Common actions for the government to lead as it works towards achieving a species’ recovery goal are provided in section 2.5 of the Species at Risk Program Status (2008-2015). In addition to the common actions, a government-led action that is specific to Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle is:

• Continue to research the role of natural lake outflows and human-made water control structures on downstream river ecology and rare species.

The GRS for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle also lists six actions the government supports others to undertake for the species. These government-supported actions fall under the objectives identified in the GRS, which are:

• Protect existing populations and habitat where Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle is found
• Improve knowledge of the distribution and abundance of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle in Ontario
• Improve knowledge of the habitat requirements of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle

Efforts to minimize adverse effects on Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle

Supporting partners through permits and their associated conditions is an important government-led action. To date, no permits have been issued for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle. One activity that may affect the species or its habitat has been registered under ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18) of Ontario Regulation 242/08 under the ESA.

The registration requires the registered individual to comply with all conditions of the regulation, such as:

• Implementing a mitigation plan developed by an expert on the species that includes steps to minimize adverse effects on the species and its habitat (for example, avoiding the activity during a time of year when the species is carrying out a life process such as reproduction)
• Reporting observations of the species to the government using the Ontario Species at Risk Observation Reporting Form

Occurrences of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle in Ontario

Three populations^{footnote 1[1]} of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle have been documented in Ontario. Two are considered to be extant (i.e., observed within the past 20 years) and one is considered to be extirpated. The extant populations are located in two watercourses in Bruce County: the Rankin River and the Saugeen River.

Since 2012, when Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle was listed under the ESA, the government’s central repository at the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) has received five records of the species, based on observations made between 2008 and 2011. A total of nine records have been received since 1986 and come from a variety of sources. Records submitted have helped to refine where the species is known and has been known to occur and have provided additional information on the species’ habitat and threats.

The two extant populations of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle were identified in 2008 (although the first observations of the species at Rankin River were made in 2005). The Rankin River population has been assessed as having excellent or good estimated viability. The viability of the Saugeen River population has not been assessed.

It is possible that there are observations of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle that have not been submitted to the government. Encouraging the submission of observations of this species to the government is included in the GRS as a government-led action. Submission of species observations increases our knowledge of where they occur and can play an important role in assessing the viability of species populations.

Everyone is encouraged, or may be required by an authorization or approval, to submit observations of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle and any other species at risk observed, to the government’s NHIC for incorporation into the provincial record of observations.

Summary of progress towards meeting the recovery goal

Summary of progress

Progress has been made towards the majority of government-led actions. The Government of Ontario has directly undertaken actions to:

• Continue to research the role of natural lake outflows and human-made water control structures on downstream river ecology and rare species
• Educate other agencies and authorities involved in planning and environmental assessment processes on the protection requirements under the ESA
• Encourage the submission of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle data to the government’s central repository at the NHIC
• Undertake communications and outreach to increase public awareness of species at risk in Ontario
• Protect Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle and its habitat through the ESA
• Develop and enforce habitat protection provisions identifying the specific habitat of the species
• Support conservation, agency, municipal and industry partners, and Indigenous communities and organizations to undertake activities to protect and recover Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle. Support will be provided through funding, agreements, permits (including conditions) and/or advisory services
• Establish and communicate annual priority actions for government support in order to encourage collaboration and reduce duplication of efforts

The recovery goal for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle is to maintain or improve the viability of existing populations in Ontario. Effort made towards the government-led actions has helped to make progress towards the recovery goal for the species. Viability has been assessed for one of the two extant populations, and is estimated to be excellent or good.

Recommendations

As stated in the GRS, this review of progress can be used to help identify whether adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the species. Based on progress to date, the overall direction provided in the GRS for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle should continue to guide protection and recovery of the species, particularly those government-supported actions identified as high priority in the GRS or have received less support and may be considered in future activities and associated decisions regarding the protection and recovery of the species:

• Develop a strategy at a watershed scale that identifies threats that are a priority for actions. The strategy may include mapping watershed natural features, identifying the locations of dams, weirs and culverts, and determining adjacent land use, and potential non-point source pollution (Action No. 1 – High Priority).
• Mitigate or remove threats by working with partners to strategically implement best management practices (BMPs) on a watershed basis, including:
  • working with landowners to educate and assist in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems by increasing natural cover in the watershed and planting strategic native shoreline buffers
  • encouraging development and use of Environmental Farm Plans and Nutrient Management Plans to incorporate BMPs for rural streams and drains. These BMPs should include restoring a healthy riparian zone, reducing access by livestock, establishing manure- storage and runoff collection systems, encouraging conservation tillage and improving faulty septic systems (Action No. 2)
• Conduct systematic surveys of adults using techniques appropriate for rare species that minimizes disturbance to habitat. Survey design should seek to better determine the distribution and abundance of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle by:
  • determining whether the North Saugeen River population is extirpated
  • estimating population size on the Rankin and Saugeen Rivers
  • increasing effort on surveys downstream (or upstream if habitat appropriate) of the known sites to determine whether the pattern observed is due to habitat specialization or detectability biases
  • conducting wider systematic surveys of suitable rivers to determine whether any other populations exist (Action No. 3 – High Priority).
• Design and implement a monitoring protocol at the existing locations to track long-term trends in population size, adjacent land use, and water quality and quantity (including dissolved oxygen, nutrient levels, flow rate, water temperature, and seasonal water levels) (Action No. 4).
• Research the specific habitat requirements of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle, including the distribution and role of food algae, water quality and flow requirements, tolerance to sediment loads, habitat for reproduction and hibernation, and dispersal ability (Action No. 5); and
• Investigate the role of natural and human-made water control structures in providing habitat for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle (Action No. 6).

Moving forward, protecting and recovering Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle will continue to be a shared responsibility that will require the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities. Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program. The government can also advise if any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required to undertake a project. By working together, progress can continue to be made towards protecting and recovering Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle in Ontario.

Summary of progress towards the protection and recovery of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle (2007 to 2017)

Provincial status

Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetleis classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). The species has been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken and its habitat has been protected from damage or destruction under the ESA since 2012. The habitat of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle is now protected through a habitat regulation that came into force in 2015.

Species-specific documents and guidance published by the government

• Recovery Strategy for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle (2013)
• Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle: Ontario Government Response Statement (2013)
• Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle Habitat Regulation: Ontario Regulation 242/08, section 27.4 (2015)

Supporting human activities while ensuring appropriate support for species recovery

• One activity has been registered for the species. The activity was registered under ‘Threats to health and safety, not imminent’ (section 23.18) under Ontario Regulation 242/08 of the ESA.

Occurrences and distribution

• Three populations of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle have been documented in Ontario. Two extant populations of Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle were identified in 2008 (although the first observations of the species at Rankin River were made in 2005). The Rankin River population has been assessed as having excellent or good estimated viability.

Related information

• Categorizing and Protecting Habitat under the Endangered Species Act
• Natural Heritage Information Centre
• Ontario’s Endangered Species Act
• Ontario’s Endangered Species Act Regulation 242/08
• Ontario Recovery Strategy and Government Response Statement for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle
• Policy Guidance on Harm and Harass under the Endangered Species Act
• Species at Risk in Ontario List
• Species at Risk Stewardship Program