Prepared by Todd Farrell, Cara Copeland and Christie Bahlai

The Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle (Cicindela patruela) is a dull metallic green beetle that lives in sandy openings in pine and pine-oak woodlands. Larvae live in burrows within these sandy openings. Adults forage in the same habitat and have a two-year life cycle.

This species is a globally rare insect found in eastern North America, with its native range extending from West Virginia north to southern Ontario and southern Quebec. In Ontario, only two populations have been observed: Constance Bay, along the Ottawa River, near Ottawa, and Pinery Provincial Park near Grand Bend on southern Lake Huron. The Constance Bay population is likely extirpated given that it was last confirmed extant in 1965. The species is listed as endangered on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA).

Threats to the survival and recovery of the existing population are primarily associated with factors affecting the succession of vegetation into the beetles' open to semi-open habitat, including trail use and development, habitat and trail modification, fire suppression and subsequent ecological succession and increased fire intensity, pesticide use, non native plant and animal species and their management. Recovery potential for the species is limited by its very specific habitat requirements and limited dispersal capabilities. A greater understanding of the reasons for the limited distribution of the species and for its habitat specificity would aid in protection and recovery.

The recovery goal is to ensure the long-term survival of the Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle in Ontario, including the exploration of the feasibility of re-introduction.

The protection and recovery objectives are to:

  • Determine the Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle distribution, abundance and population trends in Ontario.
  • Document micro and macrohabitat information throughout the species range.
  • Initiate research on biological needs and threats.
  • Develop and implement management and protection methods.

These objectives should be addressed through surveys of existing and potentially suitable habitat, analysis of site characteristics for all known populations, and appropriate protection management and monitoring of habitats and populations. The area prescribed as habitat in a regulation should include Pinery Provincial Park ski trails (excluding sections on paved and unpaved roads and parking lots), hydro cut lines, sandy access roads, fire breaks, The Wilderness Trail and the trail (old waterline installation route) on the east side of the Old Ausable Channel, which runs north of North Bridge to the northern boundary of the park. At each site, the area prescribed as habitat should include the trail and the surrounding area extending ten metres beyond the outer edges of the trail. If the ecological community that exists adjacent to the trail extends beyond 10 metres then the area of regulated habitat should encompass this entire ecological community.

In addition, if new locations for the Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle are discovered or the species is re-introduced, then these areas should also be prescribed as habitat in the regulation.