Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle
Amblycheila schwarzi
This record describes Amblycheila schwarzi (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Amblycheila schwarzi, also known as the Mojave giant tiger beetle, is a flightless and nocturnal tiger beetle species found in the southern United States. A. schwarzi was first described by German entomologist Walther Horn in 1904.
Identification notes
See key on genus page.
Wikipedia reference for Amblycheila schwarzi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amblycheila_schwarzi.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cicindelinae
- Tribe
- Amblycheilini
- Genus
- Amblycheila (Giant Tiger Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open live oak and juniper areas with large boulder fields; 1000-1500 m. elevation
Geographic Range
Mojave desert area in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are active April to June and in August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae are unknown.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Amblycheila schwarzi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle (2)
Photo credits: (c) Will Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Richardson | Contributed by Brad Barnd
Frequently Asked Questions About Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle
What is Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle?
Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle (Amblycheila schwarzi) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle?
21 to 27 mm
How do you identify Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle?
See key on genus page.
Where is Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open live oak and juniper areas with large boulder fields; 1000-1500 m. elevation |
| Range | Mojave desert area in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. |
When is Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle active?
Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle: seasonal activity - Adults are active April to June and in August..
What is the life cycle of a Mojave Giant Tiger Beetle?
Larvae are unknown.