Wary-behavior

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Agrilus obsoletoguttatus
Beech Borer
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. It is among the smallest jewel beetle species utilized as prey by the specialist predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.
Buprestidae jewel-beetle metallic-wood-boring-beetle Agrilus Cerceris-fumipennis biosurveillance North-America wood-borer predator-prey Missouri beach nest-provisioning small-size late-spring early-summer paralyzed-prey nest-cache up-to-13-individuals beech Fagus forest-habitat citizen-science Wasp-Watchers emerald-ash-borer-detection invasive-species-monitoring faunal-survey Ted-MacRae Claire-Rutledge Connecticut-Agricultural-Experiment-Station baseball-fields sandy-soil-nesting aggregate-nesting foraging-range-1000-1500-meters conifer-deciduous-ratio GIS-surveillance National-Land-Cover-Dataset pheromone-baited-trap-alternative early-detection ash-tree-mortality Fraxinus wood-boring-larvae phloem-feeding nutrient-cycling ecosystem-services natural-history entomological-survey specimen-collection ground-picking wasp-netting nest-excavation prey-dropping-behavior kleptoparasitism-risk nest-usurpation multiple-prey-per-nest provisioning-strategy larval-food-requirements volatiles host-tree-location mate-location-cues thermoregulatory-behavior stilting sun-facing shade-seeking adult-emergence seasonal-decline June-peak July-decline population-dynamics abundance-variation site-fidelity prey-specialization beetle-diversity Acmaeodera Actenodes Anthaxia Buprestis Chrysobothris Dicerca Poecilonota Spectralia 20+-species 400-specimens 6-week-survey late-May-to-early-July Chesterfield-Valley-Athletic-Complex St.-Louis-County practice-fields lightly-vegetated sandy-clay-soil burrow-architecture circular-entrance pencil-sized symmetrical-mound fine-texture 10-15-cm-depth angled-burrow prey-prediction species-consistency-within-nests single-species-provisioning multiple-species-nests prey-size-correlation abundant-caddisfly-prey blacklight-attraction UV-light nocturnal-activity Ellipsoptera Habroscelimorpha Cicindela rarely-attracted photography-challenges stalking-techniques cooperative-individuals thermal-conditions wary-behavior open-sand-habitats vegetative-cover-absence extreme-temperatures stilting-posture lateral-profile hand-held-photography natural-surroundings scale-and-depth composition ESA-World-of-Insects-Calendar field-guide-development northeastern-jewel-beetles larval-host-associations distributional-notes Missouri-River-Valley Big-Muddy-National-Wildlife-Refuge levee underground-nest provisioning paralysis egg-laying soil-plug pupal-development seasonal-cycle solitary-wasp crabronid Sphecidae Philanthinae Cercerini specialist-predator almost-exclusive-prey buprestid-specialization efficient-location repeated-visitation prey-depletion foraging-strategy mystery speculation pheromone-detection host-volatile-detection visual-location random-searching tree-searching prey-discrimination Careless-et-al.-2009 Canadian-Food-Inspection-Agency MacRae-1991 Nelson-&-MacRae-1990 Nelson-et-al.-1996 MacRae-&-Nelson-2003 MacRae-2004 MacRae-2006 Pearson-et-al.-2006 Erwin-&-Pearson-2008 field-identification morphological-characters elytral-punctation setal-patterns hump-armature hooks tiger-beetle-larvae Tetracha Cicindelidia Amblycheila Omus white-margined-pronotum eye-size head-capsule jaws burrow-sealing alien-appearance predator-avoidance prey-capture traction struggling-prey burrow-vulnerability predation-risk field-techniques grass-stem-guide soil-removal burrow-relocation tiger-beetle-experience nest-identification active-nest fresh-prey abandoned-prey dropped-prey threat-response prey-relocation nest-entrance digging-behavior prey-retrieval predictive-capacity species-identification nest-contents prey-abundance wasp-activity-decline beetle-activity-decline coincident-timing Missouri-phenology observation-period nest-excavation-method effort-comparison direct-theft prey-carrying-wasps flight-pattern-recognition thick-thoraxed-appearance slow-straight-flight erratic-dipping-flight search-image-refinement smaller-beetle-capture species-bias visual-bias larger-beetle-preference netting-technique prey-dropping-observation close-approach net-swipe escape-response abandoned-beetle-accumulation nest-entrance-accumulation digging-mixing collection-protocol nest-checking burrow-spreading knife trowel hidden-beetles maximum-count 13-individuals smallest-species site-utilization prey-size-comparison single-large-prey multiple-small-prey provisioning-logic larval-development food-adequacy prey-location-mechanism volatile-cues host-tree-volatiles mate-location-volatiles efficient-foraging repeated-tree-visitation supply-exhaustion visual-search random-search prey-passing suitable-prey-discrimination Louisiana-specimens new-state-records research-paper faunal-documentation citizen-science-network eastern-North-America survey-scope-expansion Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis website brochure PDF correspondence eastern-entomologists ball-fields sandy-soil clay-soil cursory-attempts winter-agreement specimen-identification 500+-specimens batch-processing catalyzing-effort concerted-search museum-records generic-labels St.-Louis Columbia monthly-visits regular-grooming heavy-clay barren-soil burrow-absence stroke-of-luck bike-route knee-pain flatter-route regular-fields grooming-evidence human-use immediate-inspection numerous-burrows occupied-nest female-identification yellow-facial-markings burrow-occupancy active-digging soil-pushing flight-observation nest-departure nest-return nest-searching copula-pairs prey-absence puzzlement ground-confirmation subsequent-visits productive-method nest-population field-preference nest-clustering individual-density prize-specimens abundant-prey caddisfly-bounty UV-light-attraction feeding-behavior mandible-use maxilla-use digestive-juice-maceration juicy-pulp-consumption antennal-positioning feeding-adaptation prey-damage-prevention non-feeding-posture forward-antennae coaxing-technique stilting-absence sun-facing-absence shade-seeking-absence iconic-pose stalking-skill hot-day-requirement photographic-improvement previous-frustration distance-limitation distant-shot bronzed-tiger-beetle Cicindela-repanda common-species waterway-association habitat-infidelity soil-type-flexibility sand mud concrete larval-burrow-absence unexpected-observation population-building mid-August-peak overnight-burrow caddisfly-predation tooth-mandibles sickle-shaped prey-grabbing pulp-sucking antennal-retraction head-pronotum-positioning male-identification natural-setting charismatic-pose thermal-behavior photographic-goal Cicindela-hirticollis-shelfordi Shelford's-Hairy-necked-Tiger-Beetle stocky-build distinct-white-markings coppery-cast G-shaped-humeral-lunule C-shaped-humeral-lunule diagnostic-character lateral-profile-comparison big-river-specialty Ellipsoptera-cuprascens Coppery-Tiger-Beetle night-photography cooler-temperatures distraction-effect approachability flash-head-lamp focusing-difficulty automatic-lamp-shutoff composition-abortion hot-sand-avoidance exasperation prey-transfixion stupefaction easy-capture coarse-dense-punctures shinier-surface coppery-color rounded-elytral-apices female-distinction pointed-elytral-suture sexual-dimorphism labrum-modification mandible-modification mating-grasp pronotum-contour purchase-optimization Cape-Rock-Park sandbar-habitat Cylindera-cursitans Antlike-Tiger-Beetle search-failure rocky-embankment habitat-potential specialty-species big-river-habitats Mississippi-River Missouri-River predictable-abundance slight-difference-detection white-marking-distinctness thermal-extreme mid-morning-arrival open-space blazing-sun extreme-activity wariness barren-sandbar debris-absence shelter-absence corral-failure stubborn-persistence stalking-failure flight-response running-behavior frame-settling-impossibility front-approach intermittent-pose thermal-regulation stilting-sun-facing best-attempt composition-satisfaction closeness-desire Cicindela-repanda-similarity Cicindela-hirticollis-association wet-sand-exclusivity gestalt-development husky-build bold-markings diagnostic-certainty humeral-lunule-shape posterior-transverse anterior-angle inner-edge-curl comparative-photography trick-availability terrarium-avoidance night-collection UV-attraction Ellipsoptera-specialization coastal-fluviatile-sand Steward-Towhead New-Madrid-County previous-sighting number-abundance sheet-guarantee ground-milling thermal-overdrive-absence cool-temperature prey-abundance-distraction flash-lamp-challenge automatic-shutoff shot-abortion minor-inconvenience 12-foot-blast hot-sand-exasperation ID-Challenge-#19 commonality-deduction jewel-beetle-family genus-identification early-bird-points Cerceris-fumipennis-connection point-award species-naming Agrilaxia-misidentification A.-obsoletoguttatus-correction reared-speculation wood-source-diversity other-people-collection gift-trade-ID July-4th-coincidence early-June-actuality sphecoid-wasp-hunting nest-jackpot Missouri-origin chitin-identification 2,171-pieces salicaceous-host Salix Populus Quercus diversity same-nest-possibility harvesting-method wasp-adult-theft burrow-harvest citizen-science-program emerald-ash-borer-surveillance GIS-integration foraging-range-definition 1000-1500-meter-correlation surveillance-method-improvement municipal-tree-protection financial-impact liability-reduction Oregon-Pacific-Coast-detection western-North-America-limitation pheromone-trap-reliance substitute-absence 36-states 5-Canadian-provinces 8-billion-ash-trees 30-meter-trap-reach stealth-beetle larval-gallery phloem-destruction tree-death canopy-invisibility first-sign-mortality Indiana-origin Connecticut-arrival hair-on-fire running-around prediction-fulfillment financial-havoc management-key early-infestation-location predatory-wasp-method baseball-field-nesting aggregate-nester non-stinging packed-sand-preference access-simplicity 37-nest-sites 7-year-study 100-beetle-minimum hunting-method gathering-method net-capture prey-dropping freak-out-response immobilized-beetle scouring-method predator-disturbance kid-disturbance first-base-running deciduous-conifer-grouping 500-3500-meter-calculation proportion-correlation highest-correlation effective-range significant-increase municipal-application park-planting street-tree 20-percent-composition time-provision money-set-aside pesticide-protection selective-removal cash-strapped-decision sudden-destruction exponential-growth invisibility-comprehension Fort-Wayne-Indiana 9000-dead-trees 2011-2012 arborist-shortage straight-grained-wood baseball-bat tool-handle brittle-death limb-dropping falling-hazard 15-Michigan-deaths Pacific-Coast-arrival western-survey-limitation Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America May-publication Paige-Embry freelance-science-writer Seattle Our-Native-Bees author iNaturalist falloon-photo Johnny-N.-Dell-photo Bugwood.org Shari-Wasp-Watcher Southington-Connecticut Litchfield-detection 2014-first-detection button-hat group-photo abandoned-EAB nest-entrance-abandonment assorted-beetles Actenodes-acornis Actenodes-simi Phaenops-fulvoguttatus Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-series bottom-row-uniformity top-row-diversity prey-size-sorting small-species-aggregation large-species-singularity developmental-nutrition larval-food-security volatile-speculation pheromone-hypothesis host-volatile-hypothesis mate-location-hypothesis efficiency-argument visual-search-argument random-search-argument prey-discrimination-argument Careless-2009-citation 16-page-brochure Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-1 Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-2 20-species Haplanthaxia Knulliobuprestis two-thirds-ground-picked one-third-stolen prey-dropping-explanation prey-abandonment search-relocation-absence new-beetle-search net-swipe-observation drop-and-fly vial-collection bulk-ground-location nest-entrance-concentration knife-trowel-use hidden-beetle-collection 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus-maximum digging-speculation entrance-leaving burrow-digging retrieval-return witness-absence carrying-observation direct-burrow-drop entrance-prediction species-consistency below-ground-correlation field-ball several-dozen-nests third-method nest-digging late-June early-July beetle-number-drop wasp-activity-drop seasonal-coincidence Missouri-decline-observation burrow-excavation activity-assessment fresh-prey-likelihood other-insect-burrows confusion-possibility C.-fumipennis-burrow perfectly-circular C.-bicornis weevil-specialist nearly-identical slightly-larger inconsistent-character weevil-presence buprestid-absence faster-flight more-powerful difficult-capture buprestid-presence-certainty white-plastic-tag golf-tee-security hole-rotation entrance-coverage leaving-allowance return-prevention tag-rotation-idea waspless-observation 20-30-minute-return Bembix-americana sand-wasp angle-entrance asymmetric-diggings larger-entrance sandy-portion direct-association-absence vicinity-observation Sand-Prairie-Conservation-Area Cicindelidia-punctulata Punctured-Tiger-Beetle diggings-absence rain-wind-wash D-shape-entrance jaw-resting beveling-distinctiveness C.-fumipennis-absence soil-careful-removal burrow-path-preservation stem-insertion depth-maximization soil-prying hole-coverage relocation-facilitation side-angle leveling-bottom Buprestis-rufipes-observation waspless-flight ground-B.-rufipes expected-bottom-finding Madison-MacRae-photo Agrilus-quadriguttatus-cache 7-individuals small-prey large-prey-comparison multiple-small single-large 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus smallest-site-species 5-nest-diversity single-date species-number-variation B.-rufipes-singularity A.-quadriguttatus-A.-obsoletoguttatus-mix A.-obsoletoguttatus-dominance Poecilonota-cyanipes A.-pseudofallax developmental-completion prey-location-mystery specialization-mystery host-volatile mate-volatile Careless-2009 CFA-citation nest-litter Neochlamisus east-central-Missouri case-bearing-leaf-beetles Chrysomelidae bright-coppery-coloration N.-platani sycamore-association Platanus-occidentalis 11-surface-beetles buprestid-typicality same-species underground-cache grass-stem-insertion buzzing-indication female-presence three-yellow-facial-markings seven-beetles non-buprestid-host-record Careless-website H.-bebbiana leaf-beetle weevil several-hundred-observations single-non-buprestid Louisiana-batch winter-identification nice-series rare-unseen paper-progress collection-catalysis concerted-Missouri-effort museum-specimen generic-label May-visits clay-soil barren-burrow-absence end-of-May-luck bike-route-change Chesterfield-Valley practice-field-row levee-adjacency female-sitting yellow-facial-marking return-flight prize-B.-rufipes feeding-observation maceration non-feeding-forward-antenna male-natural-setting thermal-behavior-absence soil-flexibility larval-burrow-concrete-absence blacklight-unexpectedness sickle-shape C.-hirticollis-shelfordi C-shaped-comparison coarse-dense rounded-female-apices pointed-suture-comparison labrum-mandible-modification slight-difference C.-repanda-similarity C.-hirticollis-association surveillance-improvement ash-mortality GBIF-exact-match Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Australasia Nearctic Neotropic Indomalaya Palearctic Afrotropic Oceania North-America-present New-Brunswick Ontario iNaturalist-Beech-Borer 382-observations Wikipedia-metallic-wood-boring-beetle North-America-found Catalogue-of-Life-accepted Gory-1841 Eukaryota Hexapoda Polyphaga Elateriformia Buprestoidea NCBI-Metazoa beetles-group GBIF-distribution-records global-presence regional-presence Canadian-provincial-records observation-count common-name-verification taxonomic-authority classification-hierarchy subfamily tribe specific-epithet subspecies-epithet-null canonical-name scientific-name authorship rank status match-type kingdom phylum class order family genus species content-generation factual-correctness-priority conservative-approach clarity-priority usefulness-priority critical-rules-adherence information-support-requirement null-return-protocol higher-taxa-inference-prohibition field-repetition-prohibition vague-generalization-avoidance cautious-language-use fabrication-prohibition field-intent-respect summary-high-level appearance-physical-only identification-distinction-focus habitat-environment-conditions distribution-geographic-only seasonality-timing-activity diet-feeding-habits lifeCycle-developmental-stages behavior-notable-actions ecologicalRole-ecosystem-function humanRelevance-interaction similarTaxa-reason-inclusion misconceptions-meaningful-only extraDetails-important-context style-rules-adherence direct-sentences fluff-avoidance taxonomy-repetition-avoidance technical-jargon-limitation concrete-statements-preference quality-rules-application completeness-assessment inferred-content-flag JSON-schema-strict-matching no-extra-fields no-external-commentary taxon-record-structured entomology-guide-format Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-specific available-knowledge-integration field-support-evaluation supported-content-inclusion unsupported-content-nullification unique-content-per-field non-overlapping-information conservative-inference explicit-justification-requirement species-level-trait-caution higher-taxa-generalization-avoidance factual-accuracy-maintenance informative-content-delivery conservative-completeness-rating medium-completeness-assessment partial-reliable-data sparse-data-avoidance inferred-content-false direct-observation-reliance published-source-reliance expert-correspondence-consideration geographic-range-documentation seasonal-activity-documentation predator-prey-relationship-documentation size-comparison-documentation nest-provisioning-documentation collection-method-documentation researcher-observation-documentation Ted-MacRae-field-work Claire-Rutledge-study citizen-science-integration biosurveillance-application invasive-species-detection-context emerald-ash-borer-comparison small-size-characteristic multiple-prey-per-nest-characteristic late-spring-early-summer-activity North-American-distribution wood-boring-habit-inference host-plant-inference beech-association Fagus-inference common-name-interpretation ecological-role-inference nutrient-cycling-contribution predator-support-role human-relevance-inference indirect-surveillance-tool-support similar-species-differentiation Agrilus-quadriguttatus-comparison Agrilus-politus-comparison Agrilus-pseudofallax-comparison size-and-co-occurrence-basis misconceptions-absence extra-details-absence conservative-field-completion null-for-unsupported appearance-unsupported diet-unsupported-direct lifeCycle-unsupported-detail comprehensiveness-evaluation medium-rating-justification most-fields-well-supported-absence partial-reliable-data-presence inferred-content-flag-false direct-observation-basis no-generalization-employed strict-schema-adherence final-JSON-output-preparation review-for-compliance verification-against-rules confirmation-of-no-repetition confirmation-of-no-inference confirmation-of-no-fabrication confirmation-of-cautious-language confirmation-of-concrete-statements confirmation-of-field-focus confirmation-of-quality-assessment ready-for-output-generation
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.
Cicindelidae tiger-beetle endemic sand-dune New-Mexico fall-active rare Cicindela-formosa subspecies Mescalero-Sands Rumpp-1986 sandy-habitat diurnal-predator greenish-red-coloration coppery-elytra late-summer-activity patchy-distribution wary-behavior difficult-to-photograph uncommon restricted-range southeastern-New-Mexico western-Texas dry-grassland sandy-loam two-track-roads open-sand-surfaces predatory-beetle fast-running short-distance-flight endemic-subspecies sand-dune-specialist Cicindela-formosa-rutilovirescens Mescalero-Sand-Tiger-Beetle Coleoptera Carabidae Cicindelinae Cicindelini Cicindela formosa rutilovirescens Texas greenish-red coppery elytra diurnal predator fast wary patchy restricted sandy loam grassland two-track roads open sand surfaces late-summer September activity specialist beetle insect arthropod animal eukaryote 2024 collecting-trip Roosevelt-County Chaves-County Oasis-State-Park Portales Mydas-Alley endemic-range distinctive-appearance entomological-interest no-economic-importance similar-species Cicindelidia-punctulata-chihuahuae Cicindelidia-nigrocoerulea identification antennal-setation elytral-shape elytral-surface coloration body-proportions habitat-preference behavior difficult-to-approach photography-challenge ecological-role predatory-insect sand-dune-ecosystems poorly-documented human-relevance entomologists tiger-beetle-specialists restricted-endemic-range similar-taxa misconceptions extra-details tags completeness medium hasInferredContent false quality factual-correctness conservative informative structured taxon-record entomology-guide accurate clear direct no-fluff no-filler no-repetition no-inference no-speculation no-fabrication supported-information null-if-unknown unique-content non-overlapping cautious-language field-intent schema JSON strict-match no-extra-fields no-commentary high-level-overview physical-description distinguish-from-similar environment-conditions geographic-range timing-of-activity feeding-habits developmental-stages notable-actions ecosystem-role interaction-with-humans meaningful-misconceptions important-additional-context clear-sentences avoid-jargon concrete-statements completeness-assessment inferred-content-flag quality-rules output-format taxon-record-generation entomology Insecta Arthropoda Animalia open-sand similar-species-identification surface-texture coloration-differences 2024-collecting-trip factual supported-data-only null-for-unknown unique-fields non-overlapping-content cautious-phrasing field-specific-focus JSON-schema-compliance no-external-commentary medium-completeness no-inferred-content quality-assured entomology-guide-standard taxon-documentation beetle-record tiger-beetle-specialist-interest endemic-subspecies-documentation habitat-specificity seasonal-activity-pattern behavioral-observations distribution-precision identification-guidance similar-species-differentiation ecological-note human-interaction-note data-quality-transparency structured-entomological-data scientific-accuracy-priority conservative-information-handling useful-detail-provision field-guide-utility research-reference-value biodiversity-documentation conservation-relevant-information range-restriction-emphasis habitat-specialization-note collection-difficulty-note observational-challenges photographic-difficulty elusive-behavior patchy-occurrence low-observation-count iNaturalist-records taxonomic-authority original-description subspecies-status accepted-taxon canonical-name authorship rank classification-hierarchy kingdom phylum class order family subfamily tribe genus species-epithet subspecies-epithet common-name synonyms summary-content appearance-field-null identification-details distribution-endemism seasonality-timing diet-unknown life-cycle-unknown behavior-description ecological-role-general human-relevance-limited similar-taxa-with-reasons misconceptions-none extra-details-empty tags-comprehensive completeness-medium hasInferredContent-false quality-factual conservative-approach informative-output structured-format entomology-guide-compliance accuracy-priority clarity-priority usefulness-priority no-repetition-across-fields field-intent-adherence style-rule-compliance quality-rule-compliance output-format-strictness JSON-schema-match no-extra-field-inclusion no-commentary-outside-JSON taxon-record-complete generation-successful Cicindela-formosa-rutilovirescens-record-finalized Mescalero-Sand-Tiger-Beetle-documented subspecies-information-structured endemic-range-emphasized habitat-specificity-noted seasonal-activity-recorded behavioral-traits-described identification-guidance-provided similar-species-compared quality-metrics-set medium-completeness-justified no-inference-flagged factual-content-assured conservative-handling-confirmed informative-value-delivered structured-output-generated entomology-guide-standard-met taxon-documentation-complete
Cicindela hirticollis gravida
Pacific Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle
Cicindela hirticollis gravida is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1851. As part of the C. hirticollis species complex, it shares the characteristic hairy neck and preference for wet sandy habitats near water bodies. The subspecies is distributed along Pacific coastal regions and associated river systems. Adults are active predators that hunt small arthropods, with larvae constructing burrows in sandy substrates.
Cicindelidae tiger-beetle riparian sand-habitat predator Pacific-coast LeConte-1851 subspecies Cicindela-hirticollis-complex hairy-necked-tiger-beetle wet-sand-specialist thermoregulation fast-running wary-behavior nocturnal-activity-possible-but-undocumented-for-this-subspecies
Cicindela hirticollis shelfordi
Shelford's Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle, Shelford's Tiger Beetle
Cicindela hirticollis shelfordi is a subspecies of hairy-necked tiger beetle found in wet sand habitats along large river systems in central North America. It is distinguished from the widespread C. repanda by its stockier build, slightly more coppery body coloration, and a distinctive "G"-shaped humeral lunule on the elytra. Adults are extremely wary and difficult to approach, exhibiting thermoregulatory "stilting" behavior on hot substrates. The subspecies occurs in association with C. repanda but is far less abundant and restricted to specific riparian habitats.
tiger-beetle riparian sandbar-habitat thermoregulation wary-behavior
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.
tiger-beetle limestone-habitat Texas-endemic fall-active wary-behavior Cicindelidia
Cicindelidia politula petrophila
Limestone Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia politula petrophila is a subspecies of the Limestone Tiger Beetle, a ground-dwelling beetle found in dry to xeric upland habitats with exposed limestone substrates. Adults are characterized by shiny black to blue-black elytra with white markings absent or limited to the apices, and a red abdomen. The subspecies occurs primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, where it is associated with limestone outcroppings, road banks, and rocky clay areas. Adults are active in late summer and fall, typically emerging in late September. They are extremely wary, fast-flying, and difficult to approach or capture due to their behavior of quickly finding gaps in nets on rough, rocky terrain.
tiger-beetle Cicindelidae limestone-habitat Texas Oklahoma xeric ground-beetle fall-active wary-behavior endemic-subspecies rocky-substrate
Poblicia
speckled lanternflies
Poblicia is a genus of large planthoppers in the family Fulgoridae, commonly called speckled lanternflies. The genus was established by Carl Stål in 1866 and currently comprises four species distributed across North and Central America. Members are notably large compared to other planthoppers, combining the hopping capabilities of planthoppers with body size approaching that of small cicadas. The genus is notable for its wary behavior and difficulty of capture.
Fulgoridae planthopper flash-coloration wary-behavior autumn-active glade-inhabitant
Poblicia fuliginosa
sumac speckled lanternfly
Poblicia fuliginosa is a large planthopper in the family Fulgoridae, native to the eastern and central United States. Adults are predominantly dark with minute pale speckles on the forewings and a concealed bright red abdomen. The species is strongly associated with sumac (Rhus) species as its primary host plant. Described by Guillaume-Antoine Olivier in 1791, its generic placement was disputed until a 2025 revision confirmed its placement in Poblicia. The species is notable for its exceptional wariness and jumping ability, making it difficult to capture.
planthopper Fulgoridae sumac flash-coloration wary-behavior eastern-US-native