Cicindelidia obsoleta neojuvenilis

Rio Grande Grassland Tiger Beetle

Cicindelidia obsoleta neojuvenilis, the Rio Grande Grassland , is a of the large grassland tiger beetle found in south Texas. It represents one of four recognized subspecies of C. obsoleta, distinguished from other subspecies by its geographic isolation in the Rio Grande region and presumed summer . The subspecies occurs within a broader that spans much of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with in Missouri and Arkansas exhibiting notably different fall-emergent .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cicindelidia obsoleta neojuvenilis: /sɪˌsɪn.dɛˈlɪd.i.ə ˌɒb.səˈliː.tə ˌniː.oʊ.dʒuːˈvɛn.ɪ.lɪs/

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Distribution

South Texas, specifically in the Rio Grande region. The represents the southernmost of the C. obsoleta complex, which extends north through Texas, New Mexico, and eastern Arizona, with western Oklahoma and eastern Colorado marking the northern extent of the main population. A disjunct population occurs 300+ miles northeast in the River Hills of southwestern Missouri and adjacent northern Arkansas.

Seasonality

Summer (presumed, based on typical of other in the main ; specific timing for neojuvenilis not directly documented in sources). This contrasts with the Missouri/Arkansas disjunct population of C. o. vulturina, which exhibits a distinctive late summer/early fall triggered by seasonal rainfall patterns.

Similar Taxa

  • Cicindelidia obsoleta vulturinaPrairie found in eastern/central Texas and disjunct Missouri/Arkansas; distinguished by generally black to olive-green coloration with reduced, narrow elytral markings typically forming an inverted "V" at mid-, and fall in the disjunct
  • Cicindelidia obsoleta obsoletaNominate occurring in western Texas and eastern New Mexico north into Colorado
  • Cicindelidia obsoleta santaclarae from New Mexico and Arizona exhibiting bright green coloration with thick, well-developed maculations

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