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Insects and Invertebrates

Insects and Invertebrates

Insects and Invertebrates

Invertebrate animals, or animals without backbones, represent the largest and most diverse group of animal species on the planet. Representing over 35 phyla (the largest generally accepted groupings of animals with similar evolutionary traits), these include an astonishing diversity of creatures, including worms, slugs, jellyfish, corals, butterflies and sea stars to name a few. The Arthropods (meaning jointed foot), include the largest and best known of the invertebrates, the insects, crustaceans and spiders.

Because of dramatic changes in the Willamette Valley, many of the local invertebrates are now considered to be significantly at-risk. The Fender's blue butterfly, restricted to native prairies in the Willamette Valley, was thought to be extinct until rediscovered in 1992. It's life history requires it to lay its eggs on a specific host plant, Kincaid's lupine, another rare Willamette Valley endemic species. Both of these species are now federally listed, and the focus of a Willamette Valley prairie species recovery plan.

The Willamette Valley is also home to the Oregon giant earthworm which grows more than 30 inches long and maintains permanent burrows under game trails in the Willamette Valley. This giant (white or pale gray) earthworm has not been documented anywhere since 1985.

The Survey and Manage Program of the Northwest Forest Plan provided for intensive inventory of old-growth related species, including 46 species of snails and slugs, which much of the work occurring in the Willamette Basin. Descriptions of the status of these 46 taxa globally or in the three Forest Plan states in which they occur (Oregon, Washington and California) are available. As is the case with many plants and animals, at-risk invertebrates are the focus of much agency attention. The Oregon Biodiversity Information Center, managed by the Institute for Natural Resources, manages the Rare and Endangered Invertebrate Program for the State of Oregon.