TED Case Studies

Beetle Trade and Protection

IDENTIFICATION
LEGAL CLUSTERS
GEOGRAPHIC CLUSTERS
TRADE CLUSTERS
ENVIRONMENT CLUSTERS
OTHER FACTORS

I. Identification

1. The Issue

"With their unsurpassed ability to adapt to changing environments, insects will always be around to annoy and fascinate us. They will continue to find ways to reproduce, obtain food, disperse, and hide -- the cycle will go on -- maybe until long we are gone." (Quote in the Natural History Museum, Washington, D.C.).

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects all wildlife considered "endangered." However, implementation has been selective, often choosing to protect owls, birds, bears, wolves, lions, seals, dolphins and eagles, while overlooking other wildlife. These other animals are not "charismatic" fauna, which have some special appeal to human beings. However, insects are some of the oldest and most successful creatures, whose existence dates back to the times of the dinosaurs. A thriving trade in beetles may be a threat to the survival of many beetle species.

2. Description

A species of beetle known as "Cicindela beetle", a new and otherwise undescribed species, was discovered three years ago in the Guadeloupe Mountains National Park (GMNP), located in west Texas. Because it was virtually unknown to science and localized in this park, it became of great interest to collectors and thus, illegal traders. Due to the rarity of these beetles, collectors have paid up to $2,500 for a perfect specimen. This species of Cicindela beetle is unique because it is a predator species. About one-half inch in length, it can fly up to ten feet. The beetle has been described as diverse, beautiful, well designed -- a trait left over from another time period. Trade, coupled with loss of habitat, may lead to the extinction of this and other beetle species. Another highly prized beetle is the Phalacrognathus muelleri from Australia. The high demand is thought to be a threat to the existence of the beetle and as a result several laws have been enacted to protect it. "In Australia it is illegal to export insects without a permit, which is issued only for the purposes of scientfic research or for captive-bred individuals or taken in accordance with an approved management programme."

3. Related Cases

NEMATODE case

APPLE case

CODEX case

NAFTA case

BUTTER case

RIOGRAND case

4. Draft Author:

David Dalbec (

II. Legal Clusters

5. Discourse and Status: DISagreement and COMPlete

This particular case relates to U.S. law. Book 18, section 43, chapter 3 of the United States Codes states that all animals (land, air, or water) in general to protect from adverse direct (over-harvesting) and indirect (the destruction or polluting of habitats) impacts. Whoever, except in compliance with rules and regulations promulgated by authority of law, hunts, traps, captures, willfully disturbs or kills any bird, fish, or wild animal of any kind whatever, or takes or destroys the eggs or nest of any such birds or fish, on any lands or waters which are set apart or reserved as sanctuaries, refuges or breeding grounds for such birds, fish, or animals under any law of the United States or willfully injures, molests, or destroys any property of the United States on any such lands or waters, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. (United States Codes, Book 18, Chapter 3).

6. Forum and Scope: MEXICO and UNILATeral

Mexico has legislation related to the beetle.

7. Decision Breadth: 3 (USA, CANADA, MEXICO)

Because of the migratory pattern of the beetle, the case involves the United States and Mexico. Due to NAFTA membership it may also impact Canada in some way.

8. Legal Standing: LAW

III. Geographic Clusters

9. Geographic Locations

a. Geographic Domain: North America [NAMER]

b. Geographic Site: Western North America [WNAMER]

c. Geographic Impact: USA The Cicindela tiger beetle was discovered in the Guadeloupe Mountain National Park (GMNP) and is localized mainly to west Texas. However, probably more such beetles exist in Mexico. These beetles are smuggled into Europe where beetle collecting is very popular.

10. Sub-National Factors: NO

11. Type of Habitat: DRY

The GMNP is scattered with thick conifer forests, typical of the Rocky Mountains. The Guadeloupe Mountains were once a reef growing beneath the waters of an ancient inland sea and therefore has a unique soil composition. The region is a mountainous, conifer forest, "with all of that surrounded by desert". Beetle larvae are born in the decaying tree bark of conifers and therfore survival in part depends on the survival of these trees.

IV. Trade Clusters

12. Type of Measure:Regulatory Standard [REGSTD]

Beetle trade has imposed so many barriers to importation that even the Insect Zoo of the Natural History Museum, reports problems in getting specimens even with the proper papers, according to Nate Irwin, an emtomologist at the museum.

13. Direct v. Indirect Impacts: INDirect

14. Relation of Trade Measure to Environmental Impact

a. Directly Related to Product: YES BEETLE

b. Indirectly Related to Product: NO

c. Not Related to Product: NO

d. Related to Process:YES Species Loss Land [SPLL]

15. Trade Product Identification:BEETLE

The Cicindela tiger beetle sells $2,500 for one perfect specimen. Only eight beetles are protected by CITES, all of which are found in the United States (see Table III-6-1). Table III-6-1 Beetles Protected by CITES

Common Name                        Scientific Name  
   American burying beetle            Nicrophorus americanus
   Coffin Cave mold beetle            Batrisodes Texanus
   Delta green ground beetle          Elaphrus viridis
   Kretchmarr Cave mold beetle        Texamaurops reddelli
   Northeastern beach tiger beetle    Cicindela dorsalis
   Puritan tiger beetle               Cicindela puritana
   Tooth Cave ground beetle           Rhandine persephone
   Valley elderberry longhorn         Desmocerus californicus     
                                         dimorphus

16. Economic Data

It is difficult to regulate the importation and exportation of beetles because of their size. They are the size of a thumb nail and are easily smuggled in suitcases "or through the post" and are often undetected.

17. Impact of Trade Restriction: BAN

Certain beetles are banned from trade under CITES.

18. Industry Sector:PHARMaceutical

19. Exporters and Importers:USA and EUROPE

The leading beetle exporters are the United States, Papua New Guinea, and Canada. The leading importers are the United States and Europe.

V. Environment Clusters

20. Environmental Problem Type: Species Loss Land [SPLL]

These beetles in the GNMP are extremely rare. "It was a case where there were so few around that anyone taking them could ensure their extinction."

21. Name, Type, and Diversity of Species

Name: Beetle

Type: Animal/Mandible/Insect

Diversity: NA Finding the Cicindela beetle itself is rare. Bret Wiler, head entomologist at the GMNP that the beetle was "a new species and previously undesribed." Because of its rarity and novelty there is a tremendous pressure from collectors. Wiler adds that "Anything new, rare, special, or spectactular will attract illegal poachers or collectors."

22. Resource Impact and Effect:LOW and PRODuct

23. Urgency of Problem:

MEDIUM

24. Substitutes:LIKE products

Many endangered beetles are now being raised on insect farms (by Eco-Melanasia in Papua, New Guinea for example), which may provide an alternative to illegal trade. Farms may ensure breeding and specimens for museums as well as to private collectors.

VI. Other Factors

25. Culture: YES

Some collectors revere beetles for religious reasons, such as scarabs, and contain powerful healing properties. This has declines in certain scarab beetles found in Sudan and exported in large numbers of Egypt.

26. Trans-Boundary Issues: NO

The beetle is probably also found in Northern Mexico which means that some trans-border efforts will arise at some point.

27. Rights: NO

28. Relevant Literature

Grove, Noel. "Wild Cargo: The Business of Smuggling Animal" National Geographic (March 1981).

Hill, James M. and Knisley, C. Barry. "Puritan Tiger Beetle (Cicindela puritana) Recovery Plan." Agency Draft, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region.

Hill, James M. and Knisley, C. Barry. "Status Survey of the Rare Florida Scrub Tiger Beetle, Cicindela Highlandensis." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida.

Hill, James M. and Knisley, C. Barry. "Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis say) Recovery Plan." Agency Draft.

Huizinga, Harry. "Law Enforcement and the Black Market Exchange Rate." Journal of International Money & Finance, (December 1991).

Imes, Rick. "The Practical Entomologist." Fireside Publishing. Simon and Shuster.

Milsten, Michael. "The Quiet Kill, National Parks Magazine.

Pinto, Brian. "Black Markets for Foreign Exchange, Real Exchange Rates and Inflation." Journal of International Economics (February 1993).

Poten, Constence J. "America's Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Shameful Harvest." National Geographic (September 1991).

World Wildlife Fund. Traffic Bulletin 12, 41-48

Wells, Susan. "The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book." The Gresham Press, Old Woking Survey, U.K.