''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic

beetle Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 describ ...

s, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bodies of water with sandy or occasionally clay soils; they can be found along rivers, sea and lake shores, sand dunes, around dry lakebeds, on clay banks, or woodland paths.

Etymology

The word "''Cicindela''" comes from the Latin word "cicindela", meaning "glowworm". This comes from the fact that members of the genus ''Cicindela'' are metallic and sometimes flashing.

Systematics

The genus ''Cicindela'' is (in its broadest historical sense) the largest genus of tiger beetles, and they occur worldwide. The status of the genus is constantly in a state of flux, as various authorities on different continents have vastly different opinions about which (if any) of the dozens of

subgenera In biology, a subgenus (plural: subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus. In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed betwee ...

traditionally recognized within the genus are deserving of being accorded status as independent genera. Moreover, this is one of the few insect taxa in which the rank of subspecies has traditionally been used repeatedly, and essentially no two classifications consistently treat the various members of the genus as to which are species and which are subspecies. Treated as a single genus, and even with a fairly conservative estimate of species, there are over 850 (or even up to 2,300) species in the groupProença, S.J.R, Cytogenetic variability in three species of the genus Cicindela (s.l.) (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae): Karyotypes and localization of 18S rDNA genes.Genetics and Molecular Biology, 27, 4, 555-560 (2004) (thus being almost equal to the subtribe Cicindelina ( W.Horn, 1908), with several thousand published names applied, collectively. Currently most of the subgenera below are not settled, being considered genera of their own by some, and subgenera of the genus ''Cicindela'' by others. The genus is divided into the following subgenera: *'' Cicindela (Ancylia)'' *''

Cicindela (Archidela) The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , ''asteriskos'', "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often voc ...

'' *'' Cicindela (Austrocicindela)'' *'' Cicindela (Brasiella)'' *''

Cicindela (Calochroa) The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , ''asteriskos'', "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often voc ...

'' *''

Cicindela (Calomera) The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , ''asteriskos'', "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often voc ...

'' *''

Cicindela (Cephalota) ''Cephalota'' is a genus of beetles in the family Cicindelidae Tiger beetles are a family of beetles, Cicindelidae, known for their aggressive predatory habits and running speed. The fastest known species of tiger beetle, ''Rivacindela hudson ...

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Cicindela (Chaetodera) The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , ''asteriskos'', "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often v ...

'' *'' Cicindela (Cicindela)'' *''

Cicindela (Cicindelidia) The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , ''asteriskos'', "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often voc ...

'' *'' Cicindela (Cosmodela)'' *'' Cicindela (Cylindera)'' *'' Cicindela (Duponti)'' *'' Cicindela (Euzona)'' *'' Cicindela (Fulgoris)'' *'' Cicindela (Habroscelimorpha)'' *'' Cicindela (Hypaetha)'' *'' Cicindela (Jansonia)'' *'' Cicindela (Lophyridia)'' *'' Cicindela (Macfarlandia)'' *'' Cicindela (Micromentignatha)'' *'' Cicindela (Myriochile)'' *'' Cicindela (Neolaphyra)'' *''

Cicindela (Opilidia) The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , ''asteriskos'', "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often voc ...

'' *'' Cicindela (Pachydela)'' *'' Cicindela (Pancallia)'' *'' Cicindela (Rivacindela)'' *'' Cicindela (Sophiodela)'' *''

Cicindela (Tribonia) ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' For a list of species, see List of ''Cicindela'' species. The subgenus ''Cicindela (Cicindela)'', or ''Cicindela'' ''

sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular c ...

'' contains the following species: *''

Cicindela albissima ''Cicindela albissima'', commonly called the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle is a species of tiger beetle endemic to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in southern Utah, United States. It was originally described by Rumpp in 1962 as the subspeci ...

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Cicindela altaica ''Cicindela altaica'' is a species of tiger beetle in the genus '' Cicindela''. It was described by Eschscholtz in 1829 and is endemic to Altai Mountains The Altai Mountains (), also spelled Altay Mountains, are a mountain range in Central ...

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Cicindela ancocisconensis ''Cicindela ancocisconensis'', known generally as the Appalachian tiger beetle or boulder beach tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America. The beetle's long, slim body are favorable f ...

'' *'' Cicindela arenicola'' *''

Cicindela asiatica ''Cicindela asiatica'' is a species of ground beetle of the subfamily Cicindelinae Tiger beetles are a family of beetles, Cicindelidae, known for their aggressive predatory habits and running speed. The fastest known species of tiger beetle, ...

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Cicindela bellissima ''Cicindela bellissima'', the Pacific coast tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America. Subspecies These three subspecies belong to the species ''Cicindela bellissima'': * ''Cicindela ...

'' *'' Cicindela campestris'' *''

Cicindela clypeata ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' *'' Cicindela coerulea'' *'' Cicindela colombica'' *''

Cicindela decemnotata ''Cicindela decemnotata'', the badlands tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America. Subspecies These five subspecies belong to the species ''Cicindela decemnotata'': * ''Cicindela dec ...

'' *''

Cicindela denverensis ''Cicindela denverensis'', the green claybank tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America. References Further reading * * denverensis Articles created by Qbugbot Beetles de ...

'' *'' Cicindela depressula'' *''

Cicindela dorsalis ''Habroscelimorpha dorsalis'', commonly known as the eastern beach tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in Central America and North America. Description The body length is . The head and thor ...

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Cicindela duodecimguttata ''Cicindela duodecimguttata'' Dejean, commonly known as the twelve-spotted tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle that is long and is dark brown to black. In most of the beetles in the species, there are twelve spots on the elytra. The sp ...

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Cicindela fabrici ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' *''

Cicindela formosa ''Cicindela formosa'', the big sand tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America. Subspecies These six subspecies belong to the species ''Cicindela formosa'': * ''Cicindela formosa for ...

'' *'' Cicindela fulgida'' *''

Cicindela gallica ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bodi ...

'' *'' Cicindela gemmata'' *''

Cicindela granulata ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bodi ...

'' *''

Cicindela hirticollis ''Cicindela hirticollis'' is a species of tiger beetle that is commonly found in sand bars and sandy beaches, is medium-sized, is about long, and is active in the summer. The dorsal surfaces of the head, prothorax, and elytra are dark brown ...

'' *''

Cicindela hybrida ''Cicindela hybrida'', also known as the northern dune tiger beetle, has a wide distribution in the Palaearctic region. ''Cicindela hybrida hybrida'' is common in Central Europe, even in artificial habitats. The species is divided into the fol ...

'' *'' Cicindela iberica'' *''

Cicindela japana ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bodi ...

'' *''

Cicindela kozhantschikovi ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' *''

Cicindela lacteola ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' *'' Cicindela lengi'' *''

Cicindela lewisii ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' *''

Cicindela ligi ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bodi ...

'' *''

Cicindela limbalis ''Cicindela limbalis'', the common claybank tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle. The length of the beetle is . The beetle's back is reddish purple and sometimes may be dull green or brown. The species can commonly be found on steep, moi ...

'' *''

Cicindela limbata ''Cicindela limbata'', the sandy tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America. Subspecies These five subspecies belong to the species ''Cicindela limbata'': * ''Cicindela limbata hyperb ...

'' *''

Cicindela longilabris ''Cicindela longilabris'', the boreal long-lipped tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae Ground beetles are a large, cosmopolitan family of beetles, the Carabidae, with more than 40,000 species worldwide, arou ...

'' *'' Cicindela lusitanica'' *''

Cicindela majalis ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' *'' Cicindela marginata'' *''

Cicindela maroccana ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' *''

Cicindela nebraskana ''Cicindela nebraskana'', known generally as the prairie long-lipped tiger beetle or black-bellied tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae Ground beetles are a large, cosmopolitan family of beetles, the Carabid ...

'' *''

Cicindela nigrior ''Cicindela nigrior'', the autumn tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae Ground beetles are a large, cosmopolitan family of beetles, the Carabidae, with more than 40,000 species worldwide, around 2,000 of whic ...

'' *''

Cicindela ohlone ''Cicindela ohlone'', the Ohlone tiger beetle, is endemic to California. It was discovered in 1987 and named and described in 1993. ''C. ohlone'' is most closely related to ''Cicindela purpurea''. ''Cicindela ohlone'' ranges in length from 9½ ...

'' *'' Cicindela oregona'' *'' Cicindela parowana'' *''

Cicindela patruela ''Cicindela patruela'', commonly known as northern barrens tiger beetle is a species of tiger beetle from the subfamily Cicindelinae. The species is brown in colour and is long. It is native to Ontario where it lives two years in sands and fl ...

'' *'' Cicindela plutonica'' *'' Cicindela pugetana'' *'' Cicindela pulchra'' *'' Cicindela punctulata'' *'' Cicindela purpurea'' *'' Cicindela repanda'' *''

Cicindela resplendens ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bodi ...

'' *''

Cicindela restricta ''Cicindela restricta'' is a species of ground beetle of the subfamily Cicindelinae Tiger beetles are a family of beetles, Cicindelidae, known for their aggressive predatory habits and running speed. The fastest known species of tiger beetle, ...

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Cicindela sachalinensis ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bodi ...

'' *'' Cicindela sahlbergii'' *''

Cicindela scutellaris ''Cicindela scutellaris'', the festive tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae Tiger beetles are a family of beetles, Cicindelidae, known for their aggressive predatory habits and running speed. The fastes ...

'' *'' Cicindela sexguttata'' *'' Cicindela soluta'' *''

Cicindela songorica ''Cicindela'', commonly known as common tiger beetles are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bod ...

'' *'' Cicindela splendida'' *'' Cicindela sylvatica'' *''

Cicindela sylvicola ''Cicindela sylvicola'' is a species of tiger beetle native to Europe, where it can be found in Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, mainland France, Germany, Hungary, mainland Italy, Luxem ...

'' *'' Cicindela tenuicincta'' *'' Cicindela theatina'' *'' Cicindela tranquebarica'' *'' Cicindela transbaicalica'' *'' Cicindela turkestanika'' *''

Cicindela waynei ''Cicindela waynei'', known generally as the bruneau dune tiger beetle or bruneau tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found exclusively in Idaho, a state of the United States in North America. Refere ...

Gallery

File:Cicindela depressula ssp depressula Washington 081015.jpg, '' Cicindela depressula ssp depressula'' File:Cicindela duponti in Kadavoor.jpg, ''

Cicindela duponti ''Cosmodela duponti'' is a species of tiger beetle with wide distribution range in South and Southeast Asia. They are found mainly in forested habitats. The species is distinct in its large size with iridescent blue and purple body with four wh ...

'' Image:Cicindelid bangalore.jpg, '' Cicindela aurofasciata'' Image:Cicindela.campestris.1809.jpg, '' Cicindela campestris'' Image:Cicindela chinensis flammifera MHNT.ZOO.2004.0.175.jpg, ''Cicindela chinensis'' Image:Dünen-Sandlaufkäfer.jpg, ''

'' File:Cicindela marginata Fabricius - ZooKeys-245-001-g012.jpeg, '' Cicindela marginata'' Image:Salt Creek Tiger Beetle.jpg, '' Cicindela nevadica lincolniana'' Image:Green tiger beetle 1.jpg, '' Cicindela sexguttata'' Image:Cicindela sexguttata - six-spotted tiger beetle - desc-iridescent in sunlight on ground.jpg, '' Cicindela sexguttata'' Image:Cicindela sylvicola01.jpg, ''

'' File:Cicindela tranquebarica.jpg, '' Cicindela tranquebarica'' File:Cicindela albissima.jpg, ''

'' File:Cicindela clypeata.jpg, ''Cicindela clypeata''

Notes

References

* ''Northeastern Tiger Beetles: A Field Guide to Tiger Beetles of New England and Eastern Canada'' by Jonathan G. Leonard and Ross T. Bell. CRC Press (1999). * ''Tiger Beetles of Alberta: Killers on the Clay, Stalkers on the Sand'' by John Acorn. University of Alberta Press, 2001. * ''Tiger Beetles: The Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of the Cicindelids'' by David L. Pearson and Alfried P. Vogler. Cornell University Press, 2001. * ''A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada'' by David L. Pearson, C. Barry Knisley and Charles J. Kazilek. Oxford University Press, 2005.

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q4165862 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus