Cicindela senilis

G.H. Horn, 1867

Senile Tiger Beetle

Cicindela senilis, commonly known as the senile , is a of tiger beetle to western California. It inhabits specialized saline environments including tidal mud flats, coastal salt marshes, and inland salt marshes. The species is recognized to have three : C. s. senilis (nominate), C. s. exoleta, and C. s. frosti. Subspecies frosti has been documented in Lake Elsinore and several counties in southern California including Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cicindela senilis: //sɪˈsɪndɪlə səˈnaɪlɪs//

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Habitat

Tidal mud flats, coastal salt marshes, and inland salt marshes. The shows specific to saline, water-saturated substrates.

Distribution

Western California, USA. C. s. frosti occurs in Riverside County (Lake Elsinore), Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County.

More Details

Subspecies

Three are recognized: Cicindela senilis senilis (G.H. Horn, 1867) – the nominate subspecies; Cicindela senilis exoleta (Casey, 1909); and Cicindela senilis frosti (Varas Arangua, 1928). The frosti subspecies is notable for its inland salt marsh in southern California counties.

Etymology

The specific epithet 'senilis' and 'senile ' derive from Latin 'senilis' meaning 'of old age' or 'senile', though the reason for this naming is not documented in available sources.