8 March 2017
Endangered beetle faces ‘unholy alliance’ of rabbits and redbacks
An “unholy alliance” between rabbits and Australian redback spiders is threatening the existence of an endangered New
Zealand species, a study led by AgResearch has shown.
Carried out with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and University of Otago, the study has illustrated the struggle
for the ongoing survival of the Cromwell chafer beetle – a nationally endangered native species that can now only be
found in the 81 hectare Cromwell Chafer Beetle Nature Reserve between Cromwell and Bannockburn, in Central Otago.
The study found that numerous rabbit holes that provided shelter for the rabbits were also proving ideal spaces for the
redback spiders to establish their webs. Investigation of those webs in the rabbit holes found the Cromwell chafer
beetle was the second-most commonly found prey of the spiders.
“Of course the rabbits and spiders aren’t actually plotting together to bring about the demise of the chafer beetle, but
these findings do give a fascinating insight into the almost accidental relationships that can develop between species
in the natural world, and how that can impact on other species,” says AgResearch Principal Scientist Dr Barbara Barratt.
“Otago University students doing research in the area found that 99 per cent of the spiders had built their webs in the
rabbit holes. We don’t know exactly how many of the chafer beetles there are left because they are not easy to find, but
research into larval densities tells us the numbers are low. It does appear the redback spider, which has established
populations in two locations in New Zealand since the 1980s, has been increasing in number over time, and this increases
the risks for the beetle population.”
“What we were able to show in our research was that filling in those rabbit holes was an effective way of eliminating
the presence of the redback spiders at the treated sites, and therefore reducing the rate of the chafer beetle being
preyed upon.”
As a result of the research, DOC has carried out a programme to break down old rabbit holes and hummocks in the reserve
to destroy spider nests, and also does regular rabbit control. An annual survey for beetle larvae with AgResearch will
show whether these actions are having an effect.
“We will survey for beetle larvae next summer to see what effect reducing redback spider nests is having on the Cromwell
chafer beetle,” says DOC Ecology Technical Advisor Bruce McKinlay.
“Hopefully we’ll find the beetle population has increased with fewer falling prey to this introduced venomous spider.”
The Cromwell chafer beetle (Prodontria lewisi) is a large flightless beetle that lives underground in the sandy soils of the Cromwell river terrace. In spring and
summer adult beetles emerge from the ground at night to feed on plants and to breed.
ENDS