DOING ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ON THE FLY: MANAGING FOR THE UNDERSTUDIED AND FEDERALLY ENDANGERED DELHI SANDS FLOWER-LOVING FLY.

Jonathan J Reinig; Riverside County Parks, MSHCP Land Management Unit; jreinig@rivco.org;

The Delhi Sands Flower-Loving Fly is an imperiled, obligate sand dune species that hasn’t been thoroughly studied due to its rarity and largely subterranean life cycle. Although much of this fly’s remaining habitat is protected, the species still faces a myriad of threats including invasive weeds, sand stabilization, sand loss, soil type conversion, and trespassing. Armed with what is known about the life history of the fly, 17 years of survey data, and hands on experience, management efforts have been undertaken to optimize suitable habitat for the Delhi Sands Flower-Loving Fly, with some promising results. Thus far, tangible successes have included localized range expansions and the recolonization of recently abandoned area, underscoring the importance of adaptive management for bolstering populations of declining species.

Invertebrate Conservation  InPerson Presentation