Cicindelidia ocellata

Distinguished from similar species by reduced, ocellate elytral maculations lacking lateral connecting bands. C. o. ocellata differs from C. o. rectilatera by absence of reddish ventral coloration. Separated from Cicindelidia punctulata by elytral shape (subparallel, slightly widened posteriorly versus subarcuate in C. punctulata) and shinier rather than opaque elytral surface. Distinguished from Cicindelidia nigrocoerulea by single seta on basal antennomere (versus two in C. nigrocoerulea) and less rounded elytral sides. C. o. rectilatera was initially confused with Cicindela duodecimguttata and Cicindela repanda by observers unfamiliar with its southwestern affinities.

Alkaline flats and lake margins in New Mexico (C. o. ocellata); sandy areas in open pine forests and dry grasslands (C. o. rectilatera). Found on wet mud near water edges and on dry alkaline substrates. In New Mexico, occurs in saltbush chaparral and juniper/oak/pinyon woodland associations adjacent to alkaline lakes.

Southwestern United States (New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Arizona), Mexico, and Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras). The subspecies C. o. rectilatera occurs in Texas, New Mexico, southwestern Oklahoma, and as a range extension into southwestern Arkansas (first documented 2012). C. o. ocellata is abundant in southeastern New Mexico.

Adults active from summer through fall; in New Mexico, observed from June through September. Peak activity appears to occur in late summer (August–September) in some populations. The species shows later-season activity compared to some co-occurring tiger beetles.

Adults are diurnal predators active on open ground surfaces. Observed running on wet mud near alkaline lake margins and on dry alkaline flats. Individuals may be attracted to ultraviolet light at night. When alarmed, adults fly or run to less exposed areas and rely on cryptic coloration to avoid detection. Scavenging behavior on oily substrates has been observed in related species but not specifically documented for this species.

Predatory insect occupying open ground habitats in arid and semi-arid regions; contributes to invertebrate community structure in alkaline flat and sandy grassland ecosystems.

Subject of entomological collecting and photography; C. o. rectilatera documented as new state record for Arkansas in 2012, representing northeastern range extension. Subspecies identification requires careful examination and has been subject to misidentification by observers unfamiliar with southwestern tiger beetle fauna.

• Cicindelidia punctulataSimilar size and general appearance; distinguished by subarcuate rather than subparallel elytra, opaque rather than shiny elytral surface, and two setae on basal antennomere
• Cicindelidia nigrocoeruleaSimilar dark coloration and reduced maculations; distinguished by more rounded elytral sides, two setae on basal antennomere, and generally duller elytral surface
• Cicindela duodecimguttataC. o. rectilatera initially misidentified as this species; distinguished by different elytral maculation pattern and southwestern versus eastern distribution
• Cicindela repandaC. o. rectilatera initially confused with this common eastern species; distinguished by habitat preference (drier sandy areas versus near-water habitats) and reduced ocellate maculations versus complete bands

The subspecies C. o. rectilatera was initially misidentified as eastern species (Cicindela duodecimguttata, Cicindela repanda) by observers who failed to consider the possibility of a southwestern species occurring in Arkansas. The reddish ventral coloration and lack of lateral connecting bands on elytra were diagnostic features that were initially overlooked.

• tiger beetle
• Cicindelidae
• alkaline flat specialist
• range extension
• subspecies variation
• southwestern fauna
• ground beetle
• diurnal predator

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• 2024 New Mexico Insect Collecting Trip iReport: Finale | Beetles In The Bush
• Just repanda… er, wait a minute… | Beetles In The Bush
• Arkansas | Beetles In The Bush