Senate Passes Bill Naming the American Burying Beetle as RI's State Insect

Rhode Island is famous for the Big Blue Big — a giant termite adjacent to Interstate 95 that serves as the mascot for Big Blue Bug Solutions (formerly New England Pest Control).

But thanks to a group of students at St. Michael’s School in Newport, Rhode Island could soon have an official state insect. And it’s no termite.

The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would declare the American Burying Beetle Rhode Island’s official state insect.

The students suggested the insect because it is found only on Block Island and five states west of the Mississippi River.

They’re endangered and the students hoped that their initiative would raise awareness about their plight.

“The students behind this bill have worked hard to make their idea a reality, negotiating the democratic process like adults and exercising their rights as involved citizens. It’s been an excellent civics lesson for them, and they’ve been a great example to other kids of how any citizen, at any age, can be engaged in their government and make a difference,” said Senator Susan V. Sosnowski of South Kingstown and New Shoreham, who introduced the bill.

After asking legislators to introduce the bills, the students attended its committee hearings in both the House and the Senate and testified on its behalf, explaining to lawmakers that the insect serves a noble purpose as a natural recycler that helps rid the earth of the carcasses of small animals by burying bits of them underground. The beetle then lays its eggs on them, ensuring that its young have food when they hatch.

The orange and black scavenger’s population has been in decline for a century. It was named an endangered species in 1989. Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence has been working for several years to save the species by breeding it for a reintroduction project on Nantucket. The students, who also met with the zoo director who leads that program as part of their effort, say naming the American burying beetle the state insect would help raise awareness of its need for protection.

The legislation will now advance to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) is sponsoring a companion bill (2015-H 6093).

Photo by Doug Backlund