A THREATENED SPECIES OF NORTHEASTERN TIGER BEETLE, CINCINDELA DORSALIS DORSALIS AS AN INDICATOR OF BEACH HEALTH
One of the largest populations of C. d. dorsalis occurs on beaches along Smith Point, Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay. This region contains about thirty percent of the C. d. dorsalis population. Consequently, the survival of the species depends, in part, on its protection at this site. Since 1937, the north end of the study area has eroded more than 100 m, most likely due to updrift bluff armoring. In June, 2001 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers placed approximately 11,900 m3 of inlet dredge material on the highly eroded north end of Smith Point beach which allowed us to examine the impact of the nourishment project on beetle populations. Empirical data of beach width, beach slope, shoreline changes, grain size, beach saturation, pore water salinity, and beach compaction show that the beetles prefer relatively saturated, less saline, finer-grained, and wide beaches. Additionally, the beach fill helped to increase the beetle population at the impact site, as well as to attract an additional marsh beetle species, C. marginata, due to the silty nature of the beach fill. These results are expected to provide guidance on establishing and maintaining "healthy" beaches to coastal managers and planners.