Cicindela nebraskana
Casey, 1909
Prairie Long-lipped Tiger Beetle, Black-bellied Tiger Beetle
Cicindela nebraskana is a small to the Great Plains of western North America. The is distinguished by its elongated (upper lip), which gives a notably long-faced appearance compared to . Males possess bright labrum and , while females show partially or completely dark mouthparts. The species is considered rare and has been documented at very few localities despite its relatively broad geographic range.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cicindela nebraskana: //sɪˈsɪndələ ˌnɛbrəˈskænə//
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Identification
Distinguished from black of Cicindela purpurea audubonii by: (1) notably longer creating elongated facial appearance, (2) bright labrum and in males (dark in C. p. audubonii), and (3) distinct elytral punctation pattern. The combination of long labrum and white mouthparts in males provides immediate visual separation from similar dark-colored in the same .
Habitat
Shortgrass prairie on elevated terrain, specifically documented from atop the Pine Ridge in northwestern Nebraska. Associated with relatively barren soils having specific physical characteristics (pH, mineral composition, texture, salinity) rather than vegetation cover.
Distribution
Western Great Plains of North America. locality in Sioux County, Nebraska; distribution extends more broadly westward with peripheral occurrence in northwestern Nebraska. Documented from South Dakota and Nebraska; broader North range includes additional western states and Canada.
Seasonality
active during summer months. Observations documented in September.
Life Cycle
with described larval stage and stage. are soil-dwelling , as characteristic of .
Behavior
are fast-running typical of . When disturbed or fatigued, individuals 'hunker down' in a defensive posture with body flattened against substrate. In captivity, become agitated with repeated disturbance, running in circular patterns; can be coaxed into alert, aggressive postures through gentle prodding of and . Rarely encountered even in suitable —intensive searching at locality yielded only single individual.
Ecological Role
Predatory in shortgrass prairie . Larval stage functions as subterranean .
Human Relevance
Subject of interest to and due to rarity and restricted distribution. locality in Nebraska provides geographic reference for the epithet. Photographic documentation limited due to scarcity of encounters.
Similar Taxa
- Cicindela purpurea auduboniiBlack occur in same but distinguished by shorter , lack of mouthparts in males, and different elytral punctation.
More Details
Rarity and documentation
Despite being described over a century ago, field photographs of this were virtually nonexistent until 2008. The species epithet 'nebraskana' reflects locality rather than core distribution, which lies further west.