Big Sand Tiger Beetle
Cicindela formosa
This record describes Cicindela formosa (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
C. f. formosa : elytra reddish/purple ▪ C. f. generosa : elytra dark brown to black ▪ C. f. pigmentosignata
Wikipedia reference for Cicindela formosa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicindela_formosa.
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
Dry sandy areas: blowouts, dunes, roadsides
Geographic Range
extreme southern Canada & the US east of the Rockies but absent from NC―FL and along the Gulf Coast
Seasonal Activity
May-Jun & Aug-Sep in ND
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cicindela formosa Say 1817
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cicindela formosa. 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 Big Sand Tiger Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Mike Quinn , Robert Lord Zimlich , v belov , KenW , bdagley
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Sand Tiger Beetle
What is Big Sand Tiger Beetle?
Big Sand Tiger Beetle (Cicindela formosa) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Big Sand Tiger Beetle?
15―18 mm
How do you identify Big Sand Tiger Beetle?
C. f. formosa : elytra reddish/purple ▪ C. f. generosa : elytra dark brown to black ▪ C. f. pigmentosignata
Where is Big Sand Tiger Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry sandy areas: blowouts, dunes, roadsides |
| Range | extreme southern Canada & the US east of the Rockies but absent from NC―FL and along the Gulf Coast |
When is Big Sand Tiger Beetle active?
Big Sand Tiger Beetle: seasonal activity - May-Jun & Aug-Sep in ND.