Autumn Tiger Beetle
Cicindela nigrior
This record describes Cicindela nigrior (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Elias S.A. (2014) A brief history of the changing occupations and demographics of coleopterists from the 18th through the 20th century. J Hist Biol 47: 213–242 ( Full text )
Wikipedia reference for Cicindela nigrior: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicindela nigrior.
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
Sandy, usually open areas with grass
Geographic Range
Narrow band of sandy habitat along base of southern Appalachians and Florida panhandle, adjacent Mississippi, Alabama
Seasonal Activity
Sep-Oct , into Nov in FL (BG data)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cicindela nigrior Schaupp 1884
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cicindela nigrior. 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 Autumn Tiger Beetle (3)
Photo credits: (c) Mark Shields, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mark Shields | no rights reserved, uploaded by Reuven Martin | Contributed by Giff Beaton; Additional contributions by cotinis , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Autumn Tiger Beetle
What is Autumn Tiger Beetle?
Autumn Tiger Beetle (Cicindela nigrior) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Autumn Tiger Beetle?
11-14 mm
Where is Autumn Tiger Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sandy, usually open areas with grass |
| Range | Narrow band of sandy habitat along base of southern Appalachians and Florida panhandle, adjacent Mississippi, Alabama |
When is Autumn Tiger Beetle active?
Autumn Tiger Beetle: seasonal activity - Sep-Oct , into Nov in FL (BG data).