Appalachian Tiger Beetle
Cicindela ancocisconensis
This record describes Cicindela ancocisconensis (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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.
Wikipedia reference for Cicindela ancocisconensis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicindela ancocisconensis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cicindelinae
- Tribe
- Cicindelini
- Genus
- Cicindela (Temperate Tiger Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
flooded places: river banks, usually on sand
Geographic Range
sw.NB/QC‒ne.GA west to OH‒e.KY; old IN, n.IL, w.MO records suggest wider past distribution
Diet and Behavior
Life History
2- or 3-yr life cycle ; overwinters as larva
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cicindela ancocisconensis Harris 1852
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cicindela ancocisconensis. 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 Appalachian Tiger Beetle (6)
Photo credits: (c) Denis Doucet, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Denis Doucet | (c) Pierrick Bloin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Pierrick Bloin | (c) Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA) | Contributed by Stephen_WV; Additional contributions by Nick Block , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Appalachian Tiger Beetle
What is Appalachian Tiger Beetle?
Appalachian Tiger Beetle (Cicindela ancocisconensis) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Appalachian Tiger Beetle?
14‒16 mm
Where is Appalachian Tiger Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | flooded places: river banks, usually on sand |
| Range | sw.NB/QC‒ne.GA west to OH‒e.KY; old IN, n.IL, w.MO records suggest wider past distribution |
What is the life cycle of a Appalachian Tiger Beetle?
2- or 3-yr life cycle ; overwinters as larva