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which serve as hosts for developing larvae of Lytta. Adult Lytta beetles are most frequently observed in March and April, but there are also scattered collection dates during May and June. Museum collection records include specimens from several locations in San Joaquin County. California Hibiscus. The California Hibiscus (HIbiscus califoraicus) is a member of the plant family Malvaceae. It is recognized as a category 2 candidate at the federal level, and is on list 1B of the California Native Plant Society. This annual lives in freshwater marshes, sloughs, and riparian areas between Contra Costa and Butte counties. It is best known from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, but also occurs throughout the Delta. The California Hibiscus flowers in August and September. I ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Two sites between Austin and Newcastle Roads near Stockton were sur- veyed. Both sites lie south of the existing CYA prison and next to the exist- ing landfill for the City of Stockton. Both the surplus CYA parcel and Brocchini property are ag lands that are in cultivation. Observed plant communities on surrounding properties are primarily cultivated ag lands or ruderal grassland. Along the North Branch, South Fork of Little Johns Creek, which forms the northern property boundary of the Brocchini parcel, there is a small remnant of riparian vegetation, with a few scattered oaks, but ag lands encroach upon most of the creek embankment. Prominent plow furrows are evident at both sites. SURVEY METHODS The habitat assessment and status surveys were conducted on September 5th at both the Brocchini and the surplus CYA properties. Because of the timing of my site visit, I could not survey directly for either the Valley Elderberry Longhorn beetle or the Molestan Blister beetle. Rather, during my field surveys, I focused on identifying potential areas of suitable habitat for these species within and adjacent to the project site. Because the timing of my visit was within the flowering period for the California Hibiscus, I searched potentially suitable areas of habitat for this species. The habitat assessment for the VELB consisted of surveying both parcels for elderberry plants. The creek and an off-site pond, located on CYA proper- ty near the crossing of the creek at Austin Road, were the most likely areas to support the elderberry. Status surveys for the California Hibiscus were also concentrated in these portions of the project site and adjacent off-site areas. The habitat assessment for the Blister beetle concentrated on surveying for their suspected hosts, Digger bees of the genus Anthophora, and flowers (primarily legumes, composites, and poppies) known to be visited by the bee- tles or Digger bees. Austin Road Landfill Report Page 2