Cow Path Tiger Beetle
Cicindela purpurea
This record describes Cicindela purpurea (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Purple, greenish-purple, or green. Shoulder marking absent; middle marking does not reach outside edge of elytron; apical marking short. The middle marking is curved, but not sharply elbowed as it is in C. limbalis . Unfortunately, some individuals differ from the above description; there is a black morph, for example. Forehead is hairy. Uncommon through much of its range
Wikipedia reference for Cicindela purpurea: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicindela_purpurea.
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
Upland habitats with shale soils. Found in forest clearings, often along dirt paths through grassy areas.
Geographic Range
widely dist. across NA, except for se US and parts of the SW
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cicindela purpurea Olivier 1790
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cicindela purpurea. 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 Cow Path Tiger Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Stephen_WV; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Mike Quinn , Nick Block , Peter Messer
Frequently Asked Questions About Cow Path Tiger Beetle
What is Cow Path Tiger Beetle?
Cow Path Tiger Beetle (Cicindela purpurea) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Cow Path Tiger Beetle?
12-16 mm
How do you identify Cow Path Tiger Beetle?
Purple, greenish-purple, or green. Shoulder marking absent; middle marking does not reach outside edge of elytron; apical marking short. The middle marking is curved, but not sharply elbowed as it is in C. limbalis . Unfortunately, some individuals differ from the above description; there is a black morph, for example. Forehead is hairy.
Where is Cow Path Tiger Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Upland habitats with shale soils. Found in forest clearings, often along dirt paths through grassy areas. |
| Range | widely dist. across NA, except for se US and parts of the SW |