Abdominalis-group
Guides
Cicindelidia abdominalis
Eastern Pine Barrens Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia abdominalis is the most broadly distributed member of the abdominalis species-group, occurring across the southeastern United States Coastal Plain. This small tiger beetle inhabits dry sandy habitats including pine barrens and sandhill communities. Adults are active during summer months and exhibit characteristic thermoregulatory behaviors such as stilting and sun-facing during periods of extreme heat. The species can be distinguished from closely related Florida endemics by its smooth elytra, presence of fine decumbent setae on the pronotum and mes- and metepisterna, and typically four labral setae.