Cicindelidia floridana

Most similar to C. scabrosa, from which it differs by: (1) brilliant coppery-green rather than black coloration (obvious in live specimens); (2) usually lacks post-median marginal spot on elytra; (3) lighter leg coloration; (4) restricted to pine rockland versus sand pine scrub habitat; and (5) allopatric distribution in Miami-Dade County where C. scabrosa does not occur. Distinguished from C. abdominalis and C. highlandensis by distinctly punctured (not smooth) elytra and dense lateral pronotal setae.

Pine rockland habitat—fire-adapted savanna-like community with open canopy of south Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) and diverse understory including cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto). Adults specifically frequent small, open, sandy exposures with sparse vegetation and high sun exposure within this matrix. Requires well-drained sandy soils for larval burrow construction. Habitat depends on regular fire events for maintenance.

Endemic to Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA. Historically known from Miami and South Miami; rediscovered in 2007 at two sites: U.S. Coast Guard land and University of Miami campus (Richmond Heights area). Current known distribution extremely limited with extent of suitable habitat among the smallest of all North American tiger beetles.

Adults active during wet season, May through October, with peak activity in June–July. Activity pattern diurnal; beetles become increasingly flighty and seek refuge under debris as temperatures rise during the day.

Active visual predator; hunts small arthropod prey. Specific prey items not documented but presumed similar to other Cicindelidia species.

Complete metamorphosis with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Larvae construct vertical burrows in sandy soil; third instar larvae have been observed. Oviposition occurs in soil among sparse vegetation, with females excavating holes using eversible ovipositor.

Diurnal activity with visual hunting. Exhibits thermoregulatory stilting behavior—elevating body on long legs to avoid overheating on hot substrates. Extremely flighty and difficult to approach; rapid running and flight escape responses when disturbed. Males engage in mate-guarding, remaining coupled with females for extended periods post-mating to prevent rival male copulation. During copulation, males alternately hold forelegs tightly against female or extend them widely to sides; function of extended leg posture unknown but possibly tactile warning against intruding males.

Predator in pine rockland ecosystem. Potential indicator species for habitat quality given extreme habitat specificity. Part of unique pine rockland fauna that includes multiple endemic and endangered species.

Subject of intensive conservation concern due to extreme rarity and habitat loss. Candidate for listing under Endangered Species Act. Rediscovery in 2007 generated significant scientific and public interest. Precise locations of populations not publicly disclosed to protect against collection pressure. Habitat threatened by urban development, including a 2017 proposal for Walmart and strip mall construction on pine rockland tract (halted by court order).

• Cicindelidia scabrosaFormerly considered conspecific (as C. scabrosa floridana); shares punctured elytra and dense lateral pronotal setae but differs in black coloration, presence of post-median elytral spot, darker legs, sand pine scrub habitat, and distribution north of Miami-Dade County
• Cicindelidia abdominalisSmooth elytra and glabrous or finely setose pronotum lacking dense lateral setae; widespread across southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain
• Cicindelidia highlandensisSmooth elytra and completely glabrous pronotum and episterna; restricted to Lake Wales Ridge in Polk and Highlands Counties, central Florida

Formerly treated as a subspecies of C. scabrosa; elevated to full species status by Brzoska et al. (2011) based on morphological, ecological, and distributional differences. Presumed extinct from 1940s until 2007 rediscovery.

• endangered
• endemic
• Florida
• pine rockland
• rediscovered
• tiger beetle
• conservation

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Photographing the Newly Rediscovered Cicindelidia floridana | Beetles In The Bush
• Mini-review of the Cicindelidia abdominalis species-group | Beetles In The Bush
• The (almost) Florida-endemic Cicindelidia scabrosa | Beetles In The Bush
• Why I Roamed the Marsh at Night | Beetles In The Bush
• Cicindelidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 10
• Bug Eric: Losing the Pine Rocklands
• Habitat, Distribution, Biology, and Conservation of the Miami Tiger Beetle, Cicindelidia floridana (Cartwright) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae)
• Determining Type Locality Habitat and Historic Land Use at Current Sites of the Miami Tiger Beetle, Cicindelidia floridana (Cartwright) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae)