It lives in total darkness so there is no use for eyes and uses elaborate appendages and beefed up nerve centers to interpret slight air-pressure or temperature changes, sounds, and smells.

There is no distinct reproduction pattern for the beetle and may reproduce at any time of the year if conditions are steady in the cave.

A widely accepted theory for the evolution of troglobites is that during a series of climatic changes in the Pleistocene epoch, certain creatures wandered into the caves for a more stable environment and over time evolved into the invertebrates they are today.

Moisture and heat from above and the natural springs within the caves provide the humidity that is needed to support their life.

Because all of these invertebrates share similar habitats, they face many of the same threats as the Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle that has led to their endangerment.

Threats to the beetle include loss of habitat due to urban development, invasive species, and mining.

Urban development is the number one threat to the beetle and affects their karst environment in many different ways.

Fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural waste can infiltrate through the ground contaminating the groundwater that enters the cave.

The introduction of invasive species, mainly the red fire ant, has been known to disrupt the beetle's environment.

Shallow caves in which the beetle live are relatively easy to enter and make them vulnerable to invasion of fire ants and other exotic species.

They can enter through the cave entrance or crawl through small holes or cracks and attack the karst species where humans cannot observe.

Increased education on the distribution of the invertebrates and the threats that led to its endangerment took place during the six years before the plan was issued.

Fisheries and Wildlife Department took extensive surveys that helped better define the distribution and habitat of karst invertebrates.

It was decided that if any of the four of the karst invertebrates (Neoleptoneta myopica, Tartarocreagris texana, Texamaurops reddelli, or Batrisodes texanus) inhabited a cave it needed to be deemed a long term protection plan.

Areas of land selected for recovery should be spread out as far as possible to protect from a major catastrophic event does not take out the entire population.

Other factors to consider when selecting recovery sites include areas that ensure long term protection, stable environment, and past and present land use.

Groundwater movements, topography, and drainage pattern were taken into place when selecting areas for recovery.

The final step of the plan included land acquisition, conservation easements, and cooperative agreements with landowners.

Without the land needed to save the invertebrates the recovery can not take place and the endangered species will become extinct.