A rare species of beetle found only in southern California makes its home on land owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

The Casey's June beetle is about an inch long. It spends most of its time underground, only surfacing for a few weeks each spring to mate.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing the beetle under the Endangered Species Act. About half of the critical habitat is on tribal land.

Environmental groups say the beetle will go extinct without protection.

Get the Story:
Unique valley insect moves closer to federal protection (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 3/31)