Tiger-beetle
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Cicindela pimeriana
Cochise Tiger Beetle
Cicindela pimeriana, known as the Cochise tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It occurs in North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is associated with open, sandy habitats including playa edges. Observations suggest late-season activity, with adults encountered in September.
Cicindela plutonica
Alpine Tiger Beetle
Cicindela plutonica, the alpine tiger beetle, is a tiger beetle species native to the western United States. It occurs in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and California. The species is assigned to the subgenus Cicindela (Tribonia). Two subspecies are recognized: C. p. plutonica and C. p. leachi.
Cicindela pulchra dorothea
Cicindela pulchra dorothea is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae, endemic to the western United States. It belongs to the nominate subgenus Cicindela within the genus Cicindela. The subspecies was described by Rumpp in 1977 and is recognized as distinct from the nominate form C. pulchra pulchra. Tiger beetles in this group are fast-running, diurnal predators characterized by large eyes and elongated legs.
Cicindela purpurea
Purple Tiger Beetle, Cow Path Tiger Beetle
Cicindela purpurea is a North American tiger beetle commonly known as the purple tiger beetle or cow path tiger beetle. Adults measure 12-16 millimeters and display remarkable color polymorphism, appearing in matte green, metallic green, bluish, black, or bronze-purple forms. The species exhibits a spring-fall emergence pattern, with adults active in April-May and September, spending summer as subterranean larvae. It is widespread across northern North America but notably absent from the mid-Atlantic states, Texas, and coastal Pacific regions. Five subspecies are recognized, including the distinctive C. p. audubonii with its reduced elytral markings and occasional all-black morphs.
Cicindela purpurea audubonii
Audubon's tiger beetle
A subspecies of tiger beetle in the genus Cicindela, Cicindela purpurea audubonii is one of the most commonly encountered tiger beetles in grassland habitats throughout the central Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. It exhibits two distinct color morphs within populations: a green morph with a faint purple tinge and metallic purple elytral border, and a rarer all-black morph. The subspecies follows a spring-fall life cycle strategy, emerging in fall as sexually immature adults, overwintering in burrows, and re-emerging in spring to mate and oviposit. It is distinguished from similar green claybank-associated species by its reduced elytral markings and purple marginal coloration.
Cicindela purpurea cimarrona
Cimarron Tiger Beetle
Cicindela purpurea cimarrona is a subspecies of the purple tiger beetle complex found in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions of North America. As part of the spring-fall life history group within the true Cicindela, adults emerge in fall as sexually immature individuals, overwinter in burrows, and re-emerge in spring to mate and reproduce. This subspecies is one of several color variants within C. purpurea, which exhibits notable polymorphism including green, blue, black, and bronze-purple morphs. The specific epithet 'cimarrona' references its association with the Cimarron River region and surrounding grassland habitats.
Cicindela purpurea hatchi
Hatch's Tiger Beetle
Cicindela purpurea hatchi is a subspecies of the purple tiger beetle endemic to western North America, particularly in intergrade zones with the nominate subspecies in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain regions. Adults exhibit the characteristic spring-fall life history of the Cicindela purpurea complex, emerging in fall as sexually immature adults, overwintering in burrows, and re-emerging in spring to mate and oviposit. The subspecies shows color polymorphism including green and black morphs, with black morphs occurring at lower frequency than in the nominate subspecies C. p. audubonii.
Cicindela purpurea purpurea
Cow Path Tiger Beetle, Purple Tiger Beetle
The nominate subspecies of the Cow Path Tiger Beetle, Cicindela purpurea purpurea is a small (12-16 mm), predatory beetle with highly variable coloration ranging from matte green and metallic green to bluish, black, or bronze-purple. It exhibits a spring-fall life cycle, with adults emerging in autumn as sexually immature individuals, overwintering in burrows, and re-emerging in spring to mate and reproduce. The subspecies is distinguished from other C. purpurea subspecies by its reduced elytral markings and absence of the distinct purple marginal border characteristic of C. p. audubonii. Populations in the eastern United States have declined significantly, with some feared extirpated in parts of their historical range.
Cicindela scutellaris
festive tiger beetle
Cicindela scutellaris, commonly known as the festive tiger beetle, is a widespread North American tiger beetle species occupying deep, dry sand habitats east of the Rocky Mountains. The species exhibits extraordinary geographic variability in coloration and maculation patterns across its range, with seven generally accepted subspecies recognized. Populations in Missouri represent a notable intergrade zone between northern and southeastern subspecies. The species is frequently associated with Cicindela formosa (big sand tiger beetle) in suitable habitats.
Cicindela scutellaris flavoviridis
Chartreuse Tiger Beetle
Cicindela scutellaris flavoviridis, commonly known as the Chartreuse Tiger Beetle, is a distinctive subspecies of the Festive Tiger Beetle endemic to north-central to central Texas. It is characterized by its striking metallic greenish-yellow (chartreuse) coloration with typically immaculate elytra, lacking the maculations common in other subspecies. This subspecies occupies deep, dry sand habitats including creek sandbars, dunes, and road cuts. It was described by Vaurie in 1950 and is considered intermediate in morphology between the blue-green C. s. rugata to the east and the more coppery nominate C. scutellaris to the north, with minimal intergradation at range boundaries.
Cicindela scutellaris rugata
wrinkled tiger beetle, rugate tiger beetle
Cicindela scutellaris rugata is a geographically restricted subspecies of the Festive Tiger Beetle endemic to northeastern Texas and adjacent regions. Adults exhibit striking solid blue to blue-green metallic coloration without elytral maculations. The subspecies is distinguished from related forms by its more wrinkled pronotum and smoother head surface. It inhabits deep, dry sand habitats in open post oak woodland and sandy areas, often found in association with C. formosa pigmentosignata. Like other C. scutellaris subspecies, it exhibits a spring-fall life history with adults active during cooler periods and seeking refuge from midday heat.
Cicindela scutellaris rugifrons
Wrinkle-fronted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela scutellaris rugifrons is a subspecies of the festive tiger beetle restricted to the upper Atlantic seaboard of North America. It is one of seven recognized subspecies of C. scutellaris, a species that exhibits exceptional geographic variation in coloration across its range. This subspecies is distinguished by its bright green coloration with white maculations and a more wrinkled pronotum and smoother head compared to other subspecies. Like other members of the species, it inhabits deep, dry sand habitats fully exposed to sun.
Cicindela scutellaris scutellaris
Festive Tiger Beetle
Cicindela scutellaris scutellaris, the nominate subspecies of the festive tiger beetle, occupies deep, dry sand habitats across the Great Plains of North America. It is characterized by metallic coppery-yellow to greenish elytral reflections and variable development of marginal white maculations. This subspecies forms part of a broadly distributed and highly polymorphic species complex, with extensive intergradation occurring with subspecies lecontei along the upper Missouri River. Populations are typically found in association with Cicindela formosa, with which they share habitat preferences but not complete range overlap.
Cicindela scutellaris yampae
Yampa Tiger Beetle
Cicindela scutellaris yampae, the Yampa Tiger Beetle, is a distinctive subspecies of the Festive Tiger Beetle endemic to sand dune habitats in northwestern Colorado, particularly the Yampa River Valley. First described by Rumpp in 1986, it is characterized by its striking red, white, and blue coloration. The subspecies occurs sympatrically with Cicindela formosa gibsoni in sandy blowout habitats with sparse vegetation. It is considered rare and has been documented from only a handful of localities in Moffat County, Colorado.
Cicindela senilis
Senile Tiger Beetle
Cicindela senilis, commonly known as the senile tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle endemic to western California. It inhabits specialized saline environments including tidal mud flats, coastal salt marshes, and inland salt marshes. The species is recognized to have three subspecies: C. s. senilis (nominate), C. s. exoleta, and C. s. frosti. Subspecies frosti has been documented in Lake Elsinore and several counties in southern California including Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego.
Cicindela timbisha
Timbisha Tiger Beetle
Cicindela timbisha is a recently described tiger beetle species endemic to a single freshwater spring locality in Inyo County, California, east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The species occupies an extremely restricted geographic range of less than 5 hectares, making it highly vulnerable to extinction. Adults have been observed ovipositing in damp dark soils along the spring margin. The specific habitat requirements and highly localized distribution suggest this species has precise microhabitat needs associated with freshwater spring environments in an otherwise arid region.
Cicindela tranquebarica
Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica, commonly known as the oblique-lined tiger beetle, is a North American tiger beetle species distinguished by its variable coloration ranging from reddish-brown to black to green, with distinct white maculations. Adults measure 11–16 mm in length, with females typically larger than males. The species exhibits notable physiological adaptations including stilting behavior for thermoregulation and tolerance for high temperatures in dry conditions. It has a two-year life cycle with adults active in spring and fall, overwintering in burrows.
Cicindela tranquebarica diffracta
Diffracted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica diffracta is a subspecies of the oblique-lined tiger beetle, distinguished from the nominate form by more diffused and broken elytral maculations. It occurs in sandy and clay soils across the Great Plains and western North America. Like other members of the C. tranquebarica complex, it is a spring-fall active species with larvae that construct typical tiger beetle burrows in appropriate substrates.
Cicindela tranquebarica inyo
Inyo Tiger Beetle, Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle (Inyo subspecies)
Cicindela tranquebarica inyo is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae (subfamily Cicindelinae). It belongs to the widespread Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle species complex, which occurs across North America in sandy and open habitats. This subspecies was described by Fall in 1917 and is associated with the Inyo region of eastern California. Tiger beetles in this group are fast-running, visually oriented predators that hunt small invertebrates. The subspecies status indicates geographic differentiation within the broader C. tranquebarica distribution, though like many tiger beetle subspecies, its taxonomic validity may require further study.
Cicindela tranquebarica joaquinensis
San Joaquin Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica joaquinensis is a subspecies of the oblique-lined tiger beetle described in 2007 by Knisley and Haines. It is endemic to California's San Joaquin Valley, where it inhabits saline and alkaline habitats. Like other members of the C. tranquebarica complex, it is a spring-fall active species with adults emerging in fall as sexually immature individuals, overwintering, and re-emerging in spring to mate and oviposit. The subspecies is distinguished from related taxa by its geographic restriction and specific habitat associations within the Central Valley.
Cicindela tranquebarica kirbyi
Kirby's Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle, Kirby's Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica kirbyi is a subspecies of the oblique-lined tiger beetle found in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions of North America. It is a spring-fall species that emerges in fall as sexually immature adults, overwinters in burrows, and becomes active again in spring for mating and oviposition. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate eastern form by broader white maculations on the elytra. It occurs in both saline and dry sandy habitats, showing greater habitat flexibility than many tiger beetle species.
Cicindela tranquebarica parallelonota
Opal Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica parallelonota is a subspecies of the oblique-lined tiger beetle, commonly known as the Opal Tiger Beetle. It belongs to the tiger beetle subfamily Cicindelinae within the ground beetle family Carabidae. The species exhibits spring-fall adult activity, with larvae developing in burrows during summer months. Adults are known for their fast running speed and predatory habits, though specific distinguishing features of this subspecies relative to other C. tranquebarica subspecies require careful examination of elytral maculation patterns.
Cicindela tranquebarica tranquebarica
Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle, Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle (nominate subspecies)
Cicindela tranquebarica tranquebarica is the nominate subspecies of the oblique-lined tiger beetle, found across eastern North America. Adults are active in spring and fall, with a life cycle requiring at least one year. The species shows notable habitat flexibility, occurring on dry sandy soils, clay substrates, and saline environments. Adults are generalist predators with large eyes and fast running ability, though they must stop periodically to refocus visually when pursuing prey. The subspecies is distinguished from western populations (C. t. kirbyi) by narrower white elytral maculations.
Cicindela tranquebarica vibex
Wealed Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica vibex is a subspecies of oblique-lined tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a spring-fall species active during cooler months, spending summer as larvae in soil burrows. Adults are ground-dwelling predators that hunt small invertebrates using rapid pursuit and visual tracking. The subspecies occurs in western North America, where it has been observed in sandy and clay habitats including saline flats and dry creek beds.
Cicindela tranquebarica viridissima
Greenest Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica viridissima is a highly localized subspecies of the widespread Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle, distinguished by its exceptionally bright metallic green coloration. Formerly ranging along much of the Santa Ana River from Orange County to Mentone and possibly the San Jacinto River, it now survives only in two small populations: along the Santa Ana River adjacent to Riverside, and near Bautista Creek in Hemet, California. Adults exhibit a distinctive life cycle with fall emergence, winter dormancy underground, and spring re-emergence for reproduction.
Cicindela willistoni echo
Echo Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni echo is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Echo Tiger Beetle. It is found in saline habitats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Larvae construct distinctive turreted burrows on barren saline flats, a feature shared with other subspecies of C. willistoni. The subspecies exhibits strong habitat fidelity for specific moisture and salinity conditions within salt flat environments.
Cicindela willistoni estancia
Torrance Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni estancia is a subspecies of tiger beetle known from salt lake habitats in New Mexico. It was described by Rumpp in 1962 and is commonly called the Torrance Tiger Beetle. The subspecies shows a strong preference for the water's edge in salt flat environments, representing a distinct microhabitat specialization that reduces competition with sympatric tiger beetle species. Adult emergence is triggered by summer monsoonal rains, restricting activity to a relatively short post-monsoonal period.
Cicindela willistoni hirtifrons
Hairy-fronted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni hirtifrons is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. The subspecies is known for its distinctive larval burrow architecture: larvae construct turreted burrow entrances on barren saline flats, a feature shared with other C. willistoni subspecies including estancia and sulfontis. Adults are associated with saline habitats in the southwestern United States.
Cicindela willistoni praedicta
Augured Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni praedicta is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is one of several tiger beetle taxa inhabiting saline and salt flat habitats in the arid western United States. Adult emergence is triggered by summer monsoonal rains, limiting activity to a brief post-monsoonal period. The subspecies exhibits strong microhabitat fidelity, primarily occupying areas immediately adjacent to water edges in salt lake environments.
Cicindela willistoni pseudosenilis
Owens Lake Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni pseudosenilis is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is known from western North America, particularly associated with saline lake habitats. Adult emergence is triggered by summer monsoonal rains. The subspecies is part of a complex of tiger beetles that exhibit fine-scale habitat partitioning in salt flat environments.
Cicindela willistoni sulphontis
Cicindela willistoni sulphontis is a subspecies of the Williston's tiger beetle, a member of the Cicindelidae family. This tiger beetle is associated with saline and alkali habitats in arid western North America. Adults are active during post-monsoonal periods following summer rains. The subspecies is part of a complex of tiger beetles that exhibit fine-scale habitat partitioning in salt flat environments.
Cicindela willistoni willistoni
Williston's Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni willistoni is a subspecies of tiger beetle endemic to saline and alkali flats in the southwestern United States. Adults and larvae occupy distinct microhabitats within these systems, with adults typically found along the water's edge. Larvae construct unique chimney-like turrets extending 1–4 cm above their burrow entrances, which function primarily for thermoregulation and attracting prey rather than flood prevention. The subspecies exhibits highly specialized habitat requirements and is part of complex habitat partitioning systems where multiple tiger beetle species coexist by occupying different microhabitats.
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.
Cicindelidia floridana
Miami Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia floridana, the Miami Tiger Beetle, is a critically endangered species endemic to pine rockland habitat in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Rediscovered in 2007 after being presumed extinct since the 1940s, it is one of the rarest tiger beetles in North America. Adults are diurnal predators with brilliant coppery-green coloration, reduced elytral maculation, and distinctly punctured elytra with dense lateral pronotal setae. The species shows extreme habitat specificity to open sandy patches within fire-maintained pine rocklands, making it exceptionally vulnerable to urban development.
Cicindelidia haemorrhagica
Wetsalts Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia haemorrhagica is a tiger beetle species notable for its ability to inhabit extreme thermal environments. In Yellowstone National Park, it is exclusively associated with hot springs ranging from pH 2.7 to 9.0 and temperatures from 29.1 to 75.0°C, where it functions as the apex invertebrate predator. The species exhibits remarkable thermal tolerance, with adults observed on substrates exceeding 50°C and showing minimal behavioral thermoregulation compared to populations in milder habitats. Outside Yellowstone, it occurs in wet salt lakes, ponds, rivers, and tidal flats across the western United States.
Cicindelidia haemorrhagica arizonae
Arizona wetsalts tiger beetle
Cicindelidia haemorrhagica arizonae is a subspecies of the wetsalts tiger beetle, a member of the family Cicindelidae. The nominate subspecies C. h. haemorrhagica is known for its remarkable ability to inhabit hot springs environments in Yellowstone National Park, where it tolerates temperatures exceeding 50°C (122°F). Adults display the characteristic run-stop-run hunting behavior typical of tiger beetles. The subspecies epithet 'arizonae' suggests a geographic association with Arizona, though specific ecological data for this subspecies is limited.
Cicindelidia haemorrhagica haemorrhagica
Wetsalts Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia haemorrhagica haemorrhagica is a subspecies of tiger beetle known for its remarkable tolerance of extreme thermal environments. Populations in Yellowstone National Park inhabit hot springs with water temperatures exceeding 70°C (158°F) and pH ranging from highly acidic (2.7) to strongly alkaline (~9), making them among the most thermally tolerant insects known. The subspecies exhibits unique physiological and behavioral adaptations that allow it to function as an apex predator in these extreme habitats, including heat-reflective ventral plates and an apparent lack of cooling behaviors despite high ambient temperatures.
Cicindelidia highlandensis
Highlands Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia highlandensis is one of Florida's rarest endemic tiger beetles, restricted to remnant sand scrub and pine woodland habitats on the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida. The species has experienced severe population declines due to habitat loss, with an estimated 90% reduction and only a few sites capable of sustaining viable populations. Adults are active during summer months, displaying characteristic thermoregulatory "stilting" behavior and extreme wariness when approached. Despite its critically imperiled global status (G1), it remains unlisted by the State of Florida.
Cicindelidia hornii
Horn's Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia hornii is a tiger beetle species in the family Cicindelidae, commonly known as Horn's Tiger Beetle. The species was originally described by Schaupp in 1884 as Cicindela hornii and later transferred to the genus Cicindelidia. Based on available records, the species has been documented from Mexico and the United States, though detailed biological and ecological information appears limited in published sources. The species is currently recognized as valid in some databases (iNaturalist) but listed as a synonym in others (Catalogue of Life, GBIF), indicating taxonomic uncertainty that requires clarification.
Cicindelidia marginipennis
Cobblestone Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia marginipennis is a North American riparian specialist tiger beetle restricted to sandy cobblestone banks and bars along rivers. The species has a highly disjunct distribution spanning from southern Alabama and Mississippi through a northern corridor to New Brunswick, Canada, with a significant gap across the southeastern United States. It is state-listed as threatened or endangered throughout its U.S. range and has been periodically considered for federal listing since 1984 due to habitat decline from dam construction, channelization, and development. The species exhibits potential geographic population structure based on mitochondrial DNA, with Alabama populations possessing unique haplotypes that may represent a cryptic species.
Cicindelidia melissa
Melissa's Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia melissa, commonly known as Melissa's Tiger Beetle, is a species of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. The species was described by Duran and Roman in 2014 and is currently classified under the genus Cicindelidia. Tiger beetles in this genus are known for their fast-running predatory behavior and often striking coloration. The specific epithet 'melissa' honors an individual, though the exact namesake is not documented in available sources.
Cicindelidia nigrocoerulea nigrocoerulea
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 nigrocoerulea subtropica
Subtropic Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of tiger beetle in the genus Cicindelidia, known from limited observations in the southwestern United States. The taxon appears to be associated with alkaline flat habitats near lake margins in southeastern New Mexico. Based on iNaturalist records, it has been documented from Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Lea Lake at Bottomless Lakes State Park in Chaves County, New Mexico. The specific epithet 'subtropica' suggests an association with subtropical or warm-climate environments.
Cicindelidia obsoleta
Large Grassland Tiger Beetle, Prairie Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia obsoleta is a large tiger beetle species distributed across grassland habitats in central North America, from Texas through Oklahoma and northward into the Great Plains. The species exhibits notable geographic variation, with the nominate subspecies C. o. obsoleta occurring in the western portion of its range and displaying predominantly black coloration, while the disjunct Missouri/Arkansas population (C. o. vulturina) shows green to olive-green coloration. Adults are active during fall months, with the disjunct population showing a phenologic shift to cooler autumn activity compared to the summer-active main population. The species is among the largest North American tiger beetles, with adults reaching sizes comparable only to Tetracha virginica in its eastern range.
Cicindelidia obsoleta neojuvenilis
Rio Grande Grassland Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia obsoleta neojuvenilis, the Rio Grande Grassland Tiger Beetle, is a subspecies of the large grassland tiger beetle found in south Texas. It represents one of four recognized subspecies of C. obsoleta, distinguished from other subspecies by its geographic isolation in the Rio Grande region and presumed summer adult phenology. The subspecies occurs within a broader species complex that spans much of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with disjunct populations in Missouri and Arkansas exhibiting notably different fall-emergent behavior.
Cicindelidia obsoleta obsoleta
Large Grassland Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia obsoleta obsoleta, the Large Grassland Tiger Beetle, is a subspecies of large tiger beetle found in dry grassland habitats of the southwestern United States. Adults are active during summer months and are among the largest tiger beetles in their range. The nominate subspecies occurs from western Texas and eastern New Mexico northward into eastern Colorado, overlapping with related subspecies in some areas. It is distinguished from the disjunct Missouri/Arkansas population (subspecies vulturina) by its summer adult phenology and generally darker coloration with reduced elytral maculations.
Cicindelidia obsoleta santaclarae
Santa Clara Grassland Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of the large grassland tiger beetle distinguished by bright green coloration and relatively well-developed elytral maculations compared to other subspecies. Adults are active during summer months and exhibit the classic 'summer' species life history pattern. The subspecies occurs in New Mexico and Arizona, where individuals show considerable color variation from black to bright green.
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 ocellata ocellata
Ocellated Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia ocellata ocellata is a subspecies of ocellated tiger beetle found in the southwestern United States. This subspecies is common throughout the region and inhabits alkaline flats and lake margins. Adults have been observed active during September in New Mexico, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon hours. The subspecies is part of a complex that includes multiple subspecies with varying geographic distributions.
Cicindelidia politula
Limestone Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia politula, the Limestone Tiger Beetle, is a species of tiger beetle occurring primarily in Texas with extensions into Oklahoma. Adults are active in late September and October, inhabiting dry to xeric upland areas with exposed limestone outcroppings. The species is closely related to the more widespread Cicindelidia punctulata but is distinguished by its shiny blue-black to black elytra with white markings absent or limited to the apices, and red abdomen. Adults are notably wary and difficult to approach, exhibiting fast escape flights and challenging capture behavior.