Cicindelidia nigrocoerulea subtropica
Subtropic Tiger Beetle
A of tiger in the Cicindelidia, known from limited observations in the southwestern United States. The appears to be associated with alkaline flat near lake margins in southeastern New Mexico. Based on iNaturalist records, it has been documented from Bitter Lake National Wildlife and Lea Lake at Bottomless Lakes State Park in Chaves County, New Mexico. The specific epithet 'subtropica' suggests an association with subtropical or warm-climate environments.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cicindelidia nigrocoerulea subtropica: /ˈkikɪnˈdɛlɪdiə ˌniɡroʊˌkɜrˈuːliə səbˈtrɒpɪkə/
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Habitat
Alkaline flats and lake margins in arid to semi-arid regions. Observations come from saline-alkaline lake environments with exposed mudflats.
Distribution
Known from Chaves County, New Mexico, specifically from Bitter Lake National Wildlife and Lea Lake at Bottomless Lakes State Park. The broader C. nigrocoerulea occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Similar Taxa
- Cicindelidia punctulataSimilar dark coloration and preference on alkaline flats. Distinguished by elytral shape (subparallel vs. rounded sides in C. nigrocoerulea), antennal setation (single vs. two setae on basal antennomere), and elytral surface texture (shinier vs. more dull/opaque in C. nigrocoerulea).
- Cicindelidia nigrocoerulea (nominate subspecies)The nominate would share the rounded elytral sides and dull elytral surface, but likely differs in geographic distribution and possibly coloration intensity.