Diurnal-predator
Guides
Cicindela formosa rutilovirescens
Mescalero Sand Tiger Beetle
Cicindela formosa rutilovirescens is a sand dune endemic subspecies of tiger beetle restricted to the Mescalero Sands region of southeastern New Mexico and adjacent Texas. First described by Rumpp in 1986, it is distinguished from other C. formosa subspecies by its distinctive greenish-red to coppery coloration. The subspecies is active in late summer and fall, with adults running on open sandy surfaces. It is considered uncommon and patchily distributed within its restricted habitat range.
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Black Sky Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of tiger beetle in the genus Cicindelidia, known from the southwestern United States. Adults are active during fall months and occur in dry grassland and alkaline flat habitats. The subspecific epithet indicates this is the nominate form of the species.
Cicindelidia ocellata
Ocellated Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia ocellata is a medium-sized tiger beetle species widely distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico, with records extending into Central America. The species exhibits notable subspecific variation, with the nominate subspecies C. o. ocellata occurring in alkaline flat and wetland margin habitats in New Mexico and surrounding areas, while the subspecies C. o. rectilatera (Reticulated Tiger Beetle) occupies sandy habitats in Texas, New Mexico, and has been documented as a range extension into Arkansas and Oklahoma. Adults are active during summer and fall months, with some populations showing extended activity into September. The species is characterized by distinctive elytral maculation patterns featuring ocellate (eye-like) markings.
Cicindelidia punctulata chihuahuae
Chihuahua Tiger Beetle, Chihuahua Punctured Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia punctulata chihuahuae is a western subspecies of the punctured tiger beetle, distinguished from the nominate eastern subspecies by its greenish coloration. It occurs in dry grassland and open habitats with exposed clay or sandy-loam substrates across the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Adults are active during warmer months, with observations spanning late spring through fall. The subspecies exhibits characteristic tiger beetle behaviors including fast running flight and visual predation on small arthropods.
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.
Pardosa moesta
Shiny Wolf Spider
Pardosa moesta is a small to medium-sized wolf spider (family Lycosidae) belonging to the 'moesta species group' in the Nearctic region. It is one of the most abundant wolf spiders in North American grasslands, characterized by its 'thin-legged' morphology with long spines nearly perpendicular to the leg axis. The species has an annual life cycle with overwintering as subadults, and exhibits maternal care through egg sac transport. It serves as host for parasitoid wasps including Baeus sp. (Scelionidae) and Gelis sp. (Ichneumonidae), with documented egg sac parasitism rates around 14.6%.
Phidippus californicus
Phidippus californicus is a large jumping spider in the family Salticidae, native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is notable for its striking coloration featuring a bright red or orange abdomen with black markings, and its apparent mimicry of velvet ants (Dasymutilla spp.). The species inhabits sagebrush communities of the Great Basin Desert, where it hunts actively on shrubs during daylight hours. Both sexes share similar coloration, which is unusual for the genus Phidippus.
Plexippus paykulli
Pantropical Jumping Spider
Plexippus paykulli is a cosmopolitan jumping spider native to Southeast Asia, now established across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Commonly called the pantropical jumping spider, it is strongly associated with human-built structures, particularly building exteriors near light sources where it hunts insects. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males display black bodies with bold white stripes, while females are brownish-grey with tan markings. It is an active diurnal predator that does not construct prey-capture webs, relying instead on acute vision, stalking, and jumping to subdue prey.
Talavera minuta
Minute Jumping Spider
Talavera minuta is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is one of the smallest members of its genus, with an adult body length of approximately 2-3 mm. The species has a transcontinental distribution spanning eastern Russia and North America. Like other salticids, it possesses excellent vision and active hunting behavior, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.