Cicindela formosa pigmentosignata

Distinguished from nominate C. formosa and other subspecies by the unique combination of brilliant violaceous (reddish-purple) elytra with blue-green legs and sides. The nearly immaculate elytra separate it from subspecies with more prominent maculations (e.g., C. f. generosa). Distinguished from C. scutellaris rugata, with which it often co-occurs, by larger size, more robust build, and reddish-purple versus blue-green dorsal coloration. Distinguished from C. sexguttata by more robust body, less tapered posterior, and sexual dimorphism in labrum color (C. sexguttata has whitish labrum in both sexes).

Deep, dry sandy habitats in open pine forests, including sparsely to moderately vegetated sand exposures, sandy 2-tracks, and road cuts. Found in areas with deep sand deposits fully exposed to sun and lacking standing water. Often associated with post oak savanna and pine-oak woodland transitions in the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion.

Restricted to eastern Texas (Henderson and Van Zandt Counties documented), southwestern Arkansas, and northwestern Louisiana. Northeastern limit of distribution approaches but may not reach southwestern Arkansas based on historical records, though recent observations suggest possible range extension.

Adults active in fall (September-October) and spring. Fall-emerging adults are sexually immature, overwinter in burrows, and become reproductively active following spring emergence. Adults largely disappear during midday heat, retreating to burrows.

Spring/fall life history pattern: sexually immature adults emerge in fall, pass winter in burrows, and emerge in spring to mate and oviposit. Larvae develop in burrows through summer, with pupation leading to fall adult emergence.

Adults are fast-running and rapid-flying, executing long looping escape flights that end with characteristic bounce and tumble landing. Exhibits thermoregulatory behaviors including stilting (elevating body on long legs to reduce heat absorption from sand) and shade-seeking during hotter parts of day. Adults often found in association with C. scutellaris rugata, though with slightly offset phenology.

Apex invertebrate predator in sandy habitat microecosystems. Preys upon small arthropods. Larval burrows may contribute to soil aeration and water infiltration in sandy substrates.

Subject of interest to tiger beetle collectors and photographers due to striking coloration and restricted range. Collected for scientific study of subspeciation patterns in C. formosa. Occurs in rural cemeteries, which serve as refugia for native sand habitats in otherwise converted agricultural landscapes.

• Cicindela formosa generosaEastern subspecies with more prominent elytral maculations and less brilliant coloration; occurs further north and east
• Cicindela formosa formosaNominate subspecies with red coloration in Great Plains; lacks violaceous and blue-green coloration of pigmentosignata
• Cicindela scutellaris rugataCo-occurs in same habitat but smaller, solid blue-green coloration, more wrinkled pronotum; distinguished by color and body proportions
• Cicindela sexguttataImmaculate green species with similar appearance but less robust, more tapered posterior, and whitish labrum in both sexes

• tiger beetle
• subspecies
• sand habitat
• thermoregulation
• endemic
• Cicindelinae

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Cicindela scutellaris rugata (the “wrinkled tiger beetle”) | Beetles In The Bush
• Coleoptera | Beetles In The Bush | Page 8
• Cicindelidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 3
• Just repanda… er, wait a minute… | Beetles In The Bush
• Texas | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2