Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia abdominalis
This record describes Cicindelidia abdominalis (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Tiny. Shiny blackish with some blue above, whitish crescents at tip of elytra .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Adephaga
- Family
- Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cicindelinae
- Tribe
- Cicindelini
- Genus
- Cicindelidia (American Tiger Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
dry sandy areas and barrens
Geographic Range
Southeastern Coastal Plain: New Jersey south to northern half of Florida, west to Louisiana.
Seasonal Activity
Adults active March-October, but typically July, August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae live in burrows up to 30 inches (75 cm) deep in same sandy habitats where adults occur. Overwinters as late instar larva and pupates in spring.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: In Words by William Whitaker , "abdominalis" translates to "gluttony", quite appropriate for a Tiger beetle.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cicindelidia abdominalis. 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 Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by cotinis , roar , Jessee J Smith
Frequently Asked Questions About Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle
What is Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle?
Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle (Cicindelidia abdominalis) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle?
8-11 mm . Comments here give length as 7-9 mm, and Choate says northern populations are larger than southern.
How do you identify Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle?
Tiny. Shiny blackish with some blue above, whitish crescents at tip of elytra .
Where is Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | dry sandy areas and barrens |
| Range | Southeastern Coastal Plain: New Jersey south to northern half of Florida, west to Louisiana. |
When is Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle active?
Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle: seasonal activity - Adults active March-October, but typically July, August..
What is the life cycle of a Eastern Pinebarrens Tiger Beetle?
Larvae live in burrows up to 30 inches (75 cm) deep in same sandy habitats where adults occur. Overwinters as late instar larva and pupates in spring.