Cicindela lengi versuta
Casey, 1913
Adroit Tiger Beetle
Cicindela lengi versuta is a of blowout found in the northern Great Plains and adjacent regions of North America. It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by a distinct coppery underside to the . The subspecies inhabits dry sandy including sand blowouts, dune margins, and sandy roadsides, often in coniferous forest areas in the northern part of its range. are active during late summer, with observations concentrated in September.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cicindela lengi versuta: /sɪˈsɪndələ ˈlɛn.dʒaɪ vɜrˈsuːtə/
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Identification
Distinguished from the nominate C. l. lengi by a distinct coppery underside to the . Differs from the co-occurring and morphologically similar C. formosa (big sand ) by a slightly narrower body form, longer and narrower , and most notably by the obliquely straight (rather than "C"-shaped) marking on the . The subspecies C. l. jordai in the southwestern range has broadly coalesced elytral maculations, which C. l. versuta lacks.
Habitat
Dry sand including sand blowouts, dune margins, sand flats, and sandy roadsides. In the northern part of its range, inhabits coniferous forest along sandy roadsides. Has been observed on sand bars along rivers. Appears to favor very fine-grained sand over coarser-grained sands typical of some sandhill regions.
Distribution
Northern Great Plains of North America, including parts of Canada and the northern United States. Range extends north of Nebraska and Colorado, where it replaces the nominate .
Seasonality
active in late summer; observations concentrated in September. present in substrate during other seasons.
Life Cycle
Larval development occurs in sandy substrate. emerge in late summer. Specific details on timing and stage not documented.
Behavior
Alert and quick to like related , but lands quickly after short . This contrasts with C. formosa, which flies further and characteristically lands with bouncing and tumbling across the sand.
Ecological Role
Predatory , likely functioning as an active of small in sandy .
Similar Taxa
- Cicindela formosaSimilar ground coloration and shared sand , but distinguished by bulkier body, shorter legs, "C"-shaped marking, and longer distance with tumbling landing
- Cicindela lengi lengiNominate lacking the coppery thoracic underside; occurs south of C. l. versuta range
- Cicindela lengi jordaiSouthwestern with broadly coalesced elytral maculations versus separated markings in C. l. versuta
More Details
Taxonomic placement
Despite morphological similarity to C. formosa, C. lengi belongs to subgenus Cicindela (Tribonia) rather than the nominate subgenus. The two represent in sandy , with differences in male confirming their distant relationship.
Conservation status
The C. lengi is not common throughout most of its range, though it may be locally abundant in some Nebraska .