Tetracha floridana

Adults distinguished from the sympatric T. carolina by divergent anterior lobes of the apical lunules and uniformly dark elytra lacking violet or coppery anteriolateral reflections. From T. virginica, distinguished by geographic restriction to Florida Gulf coast salt marshes and presence of apical lunules on elytra (T. virginica lacks apical markings entirely). Larvae identified to genus by simple, thorn-like hooks on the fifth abdominal segment; other eastern U.S. tiger beetle genera have distinctly curved outer hooks. Distinguished from Omus by having two pairs of hooks rather than three, and from Amblycheila by having inner and outer hooks adjacent rather than distinctly separated.

Coastal saltwater marshes and mudflats along the Gulf coast of Florida. Adults occur on sparsely vegetated ground slightly elevated above moister, more barren areas. Larvae inhabit burrows in dry ground adjacent to coastal salt marshes, typically in areas with sparse, salt-tolerant vegetation.

Endemic to Florida, USA. Restricted to the Gulf coast from Dixie County south to the Florida Keys. Not known from the Atlantic coast or from any other state.

Adults active nocturnally during summer months. Observations documented in August. Phenology likely tied to warm season conditions in subtropical coastal environment.

Strictly fluid feeder using extraoral digestion. Prey captured and shredded with mandibles, then masticated into bolus by maxillae and labium forming an "oral mill." Proteolytic enzymes from midgut liquify digestible components, which are then ingested via pharyngeal pump. Documented feeding on corn rootworm larvae (Diabrotica).

Larval development includes at least three instars. Larvae construct and occupy burrows in soil. Development from larva to adult has been observed to take approximately two months under rearing conditions. Females oviposit in soil amongst sparse vegetation, excavating holes with eversible ovipositor. Larval stage remains formally undescribed in scientific literature.

Strictly nocturnal; adults not active during daylight hours. Adults are fast-running and agile, readily dashing into vegetation when disturbed. Adults have been observed at building lights and street lamps, as have other Tetracha species. Females oviposit in sparsely vegetated areas rather than open barren ground. Larvae occupy burrows and likely wait at entrance to ambush prey.

Predator in coastal salt marsh ecosystems. Functions as nocturnal arthropod predator utilizing extraoral digestion. Larval burrowing likely contributes to soil aeration in coastal habitats.

Subject of interest to tiger beetle specialists due to endemic status and restricted range. Collected for scientific study and voucher specimens. Potential indicator species for coastal salt marsh ecosystem health given narrow habitat specificity.

• Tetracha carolinaFormerly considered conspecific; distinguished by convergent anterior lobes of apical lunules and presence of violet/coppery anteriolateral elytral reflections. In Florida, restricted to panhandle and interior peninsula along rivers and disturbed areas.
• Tetracha virginicaWidespread throughout southern two-thirds of eastern U.S. in varied habitats; distinguished by solid green elytra completely lacking apical lunules and much broader geographic and ecological range.

• endemic
• nocturnal
• predator
• tiger beetle
• Florida
• coastal
• salt marsh

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Florida Metallic Tiger Beetle | Beetles In The Bush
• Why I Roamed the Marsh at Night | Beetles In The Bush
• The Third of Florida’s Three Metallic Tiger Beetles | Beetles In The Bush