Cicindelidia nigrocoerulea bowditchi
Bowditch's Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia nigrocoerulea bowditchi is a of black sky tiger beetle in the . The subspecies is poorly documented in the source material, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist and no specific field encounters described in the provided collecting trip reports. The nominotypical subspecies C. nigrocoerulea has been reported from dry grassland in eastern New Mexico, where it can be confused with the similar Cicindelidia punctulata. The author searched for this at multiple localities during September 2024 collecting trips but was unsuccessful in locating confirmed specimens.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cicindelidia nigrocoerulea bowditchi: //sɪˌsɪndəˈlɪdiə ˌniɡroʊsɪˈruːliə ˈbaʊdɪtʃaɪ//
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Identification
The source material does not provide specific diagnostic features for C. nigrocoerulea bowditchi. For the C. nigrocoerulea generally, the author notes it can be distinguished from the similar Cicindelidia punctulata by: two setae on the basal antennomere (versus one in C. punctulata); subarcuate (rounded) elytral sides (versus subparallel, slightly wider posteriorly in C. punctulata); and generally dull, opaque elytral surface (versus shinier surface in C. punctulata). Coloration in C. nigrocoerulea has been observed as blue, green, or black.
Habitat
Based on the single iNaturalist record cited for the in the source material, C. nigrocoerulea occurs in dry grassland with sandy to red clay substrates. The author searched for the species at 'Mydas Alley' in Roosevelt County, New Mexico—an endless dry grassland with a sandy/red clay 2-track.
Distribution
The C. nigrocoerulea bowditchi has only three observations on iNaturalist. The broader C. nigrocoerulea has been recorded from eastern New Mexico (Roosevelt County, Quay County) based on iNaturalist records cited by the author. The author also searched unsuccessfully for the species at Bitter Lake National Wildlife in Chaves County, New Mexico.
Seasonality
The source material suggests fall occurrence for the . The author searched for C. nigrocoerulea during September 9–18, 2024, and noted that a previous iNaturalist record from the 'Mydas Alley' locality was based on a single dead individual. The timing of the search (mid-September) may have been appropriate for activity, though no specimens were confirmed.
Similar Taxa
- Cicindelidia punctulataFrequently confused with C. nigrocoerulea due to similar size and ground-dwelling habits in open . Distinguished by antennal setation, elytral shape, and surface texture as noted in identification section.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
The author initially believed he had collected C. nigrocoerulea at Lea Lake Recreation Area on September 13, 2024, based on rounded elytral sides and dull elytral surface. However, after discussion on iNaturalist and consultation with Alex Harmon, the consensus was that the specimen represented C. punctulata. Harmon noted the sides were not round enough for C. nigrocoerulea and that the brown coloration was inconsistent with the blue, green, or black coloration typical of C. nigrocoerulea.