Cicindelidae
Guides
Eunota praetextata
Riparian Tiger Beetle
Eunota praetextata is a tiger beetle species in the family Cicindelidae, originally described by LeConte in 1854. It is known by the common name Riparian Tiger Beetle, reflecting its association with riparian habitats. The genus Eunota was established to accommodate several tiger beetle species formerly placed in Cicindela, distinguished by morphological and ecological characteristics. This species represents part of the diverse tiger beetle fauna of North American riparian systems.
Habroscelimorpha
Habro Tiger Beetles
Habroscelimorpha is a genus of tiger beetles in the family Cicindelidae, established by Dokhtouroff in 1883. The genus historically contained approximately seven species distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions, though recent taxonomic revisions have transferred most Neotropical species to other genera. Species remaining in Habroscelimorpha are primarily associated with coastal and saline habitats, including salt marshes, mud flats, and sandy beaches. Several species exhibit strong attraction to ultraviolet light, a trait that distinguishes them from many other tiger beetle genera and facilitates nocturnal observation and collection.
Habroscelimorpha dorsalis
Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle
Habroscelimorpha dorsalis, the eastern beach tiger beetle, is a coastal tiger beetle species found on sandy beaches along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America, ranging from the northeastern United States through Florida and into Mexico. Adults are active during summer months, foraging in intertidal zones for small invertebrates. The species has a two-year life cycle with larvae that construct vertical burrows in beach sand. One subspecies, H. d. dorsalis (Northeastern beach tiger beetle), is federally listed as threatened due to habitat loss from coastal development and recreational disturbance.
Megacephalini
Big-headed Tiger Beetles
Megacephalini is a tribe of tiger beetles (family Cicindelidae) characterized by notably enlarged heads relative to body size. The tribe includes approximately seven described species across at least two genera, with Megacephala and Tetracha being the most prominent. Members are distributed across the Americas, with some species showing strong habitat specialization for saline or alkaline environments. The taxonomy of this group has undergone recent revision, with former subgenera of Tetracha elevated to generic status.
Omus californicus angustocylindricus
Narrow Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Omus californicus angustocylindricus is a subspecies of night-stalking tiger beetle endemic to California. It is one of several subspecies within the Omus californicus complex, characterized by its narrow, elongated body form. Adults are nocturnal and difficult to observe, with activity patterns tied to seasonal conditions. Larvae construct burrows in forested habitats, typically found along logging roads or under cover objects. The subspecies is considered rare and has been documented from limited localities in northern California, particularly in Plumas County.
Omus laevis
Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Omus laevis is a synonym of Omus californicus californicus, a nocturnal tiger beetle species in the genus Omus. Members of this genus are restricted to the Pacific region of North America and are characterized by their nocturnal activity pattern, which distinguishes them from most other tiger beetles. The species is part of a taxonomically complex group historically treated as variable subspecies of O. californicus.
Opilidia
Opilid Tiger Beetles
Opilidia is a genus of tiger beetles in the family Cicindelidae, established by Rivalier in 1954. The genus contains seven described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Members are characterized by their elongated body form and are active, fast-running predators typical of the tiger beetle group.
Opilidia chlorocephala
Lime-headed Tiger Beetle
Opilidia chlorocephala, commonly known as the lime-headed tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It was first described by Chevrolat in 1834 under the basionym Cicindela chlorocephala. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate O. c. chlorocephala and O. c. smythi (Smyth's lime-headed tiger beetle).
Opilidia chlorocephala smythi
Smyth's Beach Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of beach tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. Belongs to the genus Opilidia, which contains species adapted to sandy coastal and riparian habitats. The subspecies was described by E.D. Harris in 1913.
Paranovelsis mcdonaldi
Paranovelsis mcdonaldi is a species of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. The genus Paranovelsis contains species characterized by reduced or absent flight wings (brachypterous or apterous condition), an adaptation associated with restricted geographic distributions. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it inhabits specialized microhabitats. Like other Hawaiian tiger beetles, it represents part of a distinctive insular radiation within the family.
Parvindela
American Diminutive Tiger Beetles, swift tiger beetle
Parvindela is a genus of small, flightless tiger beetles in the family Cicindelidae, established by Duran & Gough in 2019 when it was elevated from subgenus status within Cylindera. The genus contains species adapted to specialized habitats including loess hilltop prairies, sand plains, and gypsum mesas in the central United States. The type species, Parvindela celeripes (formerly Cylindera celeripes), is known from disjunct populations in northwestern Oklahoma and northwestern Missouri. These beetles are characterized by their diminutive size, rapid running speed, and reduced or absent flight wings.
Parvindela celeripes
Swift Tiger Beetle
Parvindela celeripes, the Swift Tiger Beetle, is a tiny (6–8 mm), flightless tiger beetle species native to the Great Plains of North America. Once abundant in native grasslands of Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the species has experienced severe population declines due to habitat loss. It was unknown from Missouri until its discovery in 2010, where it persists in small, isolated loess hilltop prairie remnants. The species remains robust in northwestern Oklahoma's red clay/gypsum exposures, representing its most secure population. Its flightless nature makes recolonization of disturbed or burned sites extremely difficult.
Parvindela debilis
Grass-runner Tiger Beetle
Parvindela debilis, commonly known as the Grass-runner Tiger Beetle, is a species of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. The species was originally described by Bates in 1890 and has undergone taxonomic reclassification from the genus Cylindera to the currently accepted Parvindela. As a member of the tiger beetle subfamily Cicindelinae, it exhibits the characteristic predatory habits and fast-running behavior typical of this group. The species appears to be relatively rarely encountered, with limited observational records available.
Parvindela lemniscata rebaptisata
rouged tiger beetle
Parvindela lemniscata rebaptisata, commonly known as the rouged tiger beetle, is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It was formerly classified under the genus Jundlandia. The subspecies has been documented in dry grassland habitats in eastern New Mexico, where it occurs on sandy-loam substrates. It is active during the fall season and can be found alongside other tiger beetle species such as Cicindelidia punctulata chihuahuae and Cicindelidia obsoleta obsoleta. The specific epithet 'rebaptisata' reflects its taxonomic reclassification.
Parvindela lunalonga
Meadow Tiger Beetle
Parvindela lunalonga is a tiger beetle species in the family Cicindelidae, historically classified under the genus Cylindera but now placed in Parvindela. It is native to North America with confirmed records from the United States. The species is known from relatively few observations (12 records on iNaturalist), suggesting it may be uncommon, locally distributed, or undercollected. Like other Parvindela species, it is likely associated with open, sandy or clay habitats where tiger beetles typically hunt.
Parvindela terricola imperfecta
Imperfect Tiger Beetle
Parvindela terricola imperfecta is a subspecies of tiger beetle formerly classified under Cicindela and later Cylindera, now placed in the genus Parvindela following elevation of the former subgenus Cylindera to generic rank. It is distinguished by bright metallic green coloration, dense setae on the head and legs, and reduced or absent elytral maculations. The subspecies name 'imperfecta' refers to the incomplete or reduced white markings on the elytra compared to other subspecies. It occurs in the Great Plains region of North America, including Nebraska.
Plagiostira albonotata
white-marked shieldback
Plagiostira albonotata, commonly known as the white-marked shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a large, robust katydid found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on its body. Observations indicate activity during summer months in desert and semi-desert habitats.
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Pterombrus is a genus of small, slender wasps in the family Thynnidae (formerly placed in Tiphiidae). The genus contains at least one described species, Pterombrus rufiventris, which is a rare parasitoid of tiger beetle larvae. These wasps are poorly known and seldom photographed, with most biological knowledge derived from a single detailed study of the western subspecies P. rufiventris hyalinatus. Adults are active during summer months and are associated with grassland habitats where their hosts occur.
Tetracha
Metallic Tiger Beetles
Tetracha is a genus of metallic tiger beetles in the family Cicindelidae, containing approximately 100 described species. The genus was formerly treated as a subgenus of Megacephala but was elevated to full generic status based on morphological and molecular evidence. Tetracha species are exclusively New World in distribution, contrasting with the Old World distribution of Megacephala. Four species occur in the United States: T. carolina, T. floridana, T. virginica, and T. impressa.
Tetracha
metallic tiger beetles
Tetracha is a genus of metallic tiger beetles in the subtribe Megacephalina, closely related to Megacephala. The genus was resurrected by Huber (1994) after nearly a century of being treated as a subgenus of Megacephala, and subsequently elevated to full generic status by Naviaux (2007). Species occur primarily in the Western Hemisphere from southern Mexico through Central America, northern South America, and the West Indies. Members are characterized by crepuscular and nocturnal activity patterns, metallic coloration, and relatively large eyes adapted for low-light vision.