Ocellated Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia ocellata
This record describes Cicindelidia ocellata (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Geographic Range
*KS-LA-AZ to Costa Rica (*BG data)
Seasonal Activity
summer active
Diet and Behavior
Life History
often exceedingly abundant around water edges, but more often solitary in upland habitats
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cicindelidia ocellata (Klug)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cicindelidia ocellata. 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 Ocellated Tiger Beetle (7)
Photo credits: (c) ManuelRdz, all rights reserved, uploaded by ManuelRdz | (c) Rich Hoyer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Rich Hoyer | (c) James Bailey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by James Bailey | (c) BJ Stacey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by BJ Stacey | (c) Mike Dillon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Dillon | Contributed by Daniel P Duran; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Nick Block , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocellated Tiger Beetle
How big is Ocellated Tiger Beetle?
9-13 mm
Where is Ocellated Tiger Beetle found?
Range: *KS-LA-AZ to Costa Rica (*BG data)
When is Ocellated Tiger Beetle active?
Ocellated Tiger Beetle: seasonal activity - summer active.
What is the life cycle of a Ocellated Tiger Beetle?
often exceedingly abundant around water edges, but more often solitary in upland habitats