Cicindelidia scabrosa

(Schaupp, 1884)

Scabrous Tiger Beetle

Cicindelidia scabrosa is a near found primarily in peninsular Florida, with its range extending slightly into extreme southeastern Georgia. It belongs to the abdominalis species-group, characterized by small size, sand-dwelling habits, and red abdominal coloration visible during . The species is distinguished by its black, deeply punctured and dense of along the pronotal margins. are active during summer months, particularly July and August, in sand pine scrub .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cicindelidia scabrosa: //sɪˌsɪn.dɛˈlɪ.di.ɑ skəˈbɹoʊ.sə//

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Identification

Distinguished from C. abdominalis and C. highlandensis by deeply punctured (not smooth) and dense on pronotal margins. Separated from C. floridana by black (not copperygreen) coloration, presence of post- marginal spot, and darker legs. The smooth elytra of C. abdominalis and C. highlandensis contrast sharply with the scabrous texture of C. scabrosa.

Habitat

Sand pine scrub, a xeromorphic with open of sand pine (Pinus clausa) on welldrained, infertile sandy soils. frequent open sandy areas including 2-tracks and sparsely vegetated exposures. Absent from much of south Florida where wet Everglades areas limit suitable availability.

Distribution

Peninsular Florida north of MiamiDade County; extreme southeastern Georgia. Does not occur in Miami-Dade County or the pine rockland of C. floridana.

Seasonality

Summer with peak activity in July and August. Adults become increasingly difficult to find by late September.

Behavior

are , active foragers that are wary and difficult to approach closely. They make short escape when disturbed. Like other sanddwelling , adults likely employ thermoregulatory behaviors including stilting, -seeking, and burrowing during extreme temperatures, though specific observations for this are not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

in sand pine scrub ; likely contributes to regulation of small in this specialized .

Human Relevance

Subject of interest to and enthusiasts due to its near status and restricted distribution. loss from development and fire suppression in sand pine scrub poses concerns.

Similar Taxa

Cicindelidia floridanaFormerly considered a ; distinguished by copperygreen (not black) coloration, usually lacking post- marginal spot, lighter legs, and restriction to pine rockland in Miami-Dade County
Cicindelidia abdominalisSmooth (not punctured) , lacks dense pronotal , widespread across southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain
Cicindelidia highlandensisSmooth , and , restricted to Lake Wales Ridge in Polk and Highlands Counties

More Details

Species-group affinities

Member of the abdominalis group, one of four species (with C. abdominalis, C. floridana, C. highlandensis) presumed to have evolved during Pleistocene isolation of peninsular Florida. Three of the four species are or near-endemic to Florida.

Conservation context

Sand pine scrub has experienced significant reduction; however, C. scabrosa maintains broader distribution than the critically imperiled C. highlandensis and the extremely restricted C. floridana.