Giant Tiger Beetles
Amblycheila
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Adephaga
- Family: Carabidae
- Subfamily: Cicindelinae
- Tribe: Amblycheilini
- Genus: Amblycheila
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Amblycheila: //ˌæmbliˈkaɪlə//
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Images
Summary
Amblycheila is a genus of flightless, nocturnal tiger beetles with eight species primarily distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are known for their size and predatory behavior, with distinctive physical characteristics that aid in species identification.
Physical Characteristics
Length 20-36 mm; includes the largest tiger beetle in the Western Hemisphere. Mandibular scrobe with several long setae; inflexed part of elytron coarsely punctate. Male sternum 7 with posterior margin entire.
Identification Tips
Key to species based on size and elytral characteristics, e.g., single rows or multiple rows of punctures, carina features, and range.
Habitat
Nocturnal dwellers, spending daytime in self-constructed burrows or rodent burrows, primarily found in the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
Distribution
Species distribution ranges from the southwestern United States to Mexico, with specific species having non-overlapping ranges.
Diet
Predacious.
Ecosystem Role
Predators within their habitats, contributing to the ecological balance.
Evolution
Initially classified in the tribe Amblycheilini, recent research has placed Amblycheila in the tribe Manticorini, indicating active research in its classification.
Misconceptions
Some species are believed to occur outside their identified ranges, such as Amblycheila halffteri in Texas, which appears restricted to Mexico.
Tags
- Amblycheila
- Giant Tiger Beetles
- Coleoptera
- Predacious Beetles
- Mexican Biodiversity