One of the rarest insects in the United States found only in saline wetlands on the north side of Lincoln and south of Ceresco is getting more protection from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The feds are using a $270,000 grant to buy land near Lincoln to help protect the Salt Creek tiger beetle. The 1/2 inch long, metallic brown to dark-olive green beetle has been listed as an endangered species since October 2005.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service