Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia rufiventris
This record describes Cicindelidia rufiventris (species). Recorded family: Carabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
abdomen under the elytra is bright red, especially towards the rear
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
clay soils or clay mixed with gravel; dirt roads . Burrows under rocks (ssp. hentzi ) or yellow clay (ssp. rufiventris )
Geographic Range
e. US (MA-FL panhandle to IL-OK-TX)
Seasonal Activity
May-Sep, mostly Jun-Jul
Diet and Behavior
Life History
1 or 2 years
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cicindelidia rufiventris (Dejean 1825)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cicindelidia rufiventris. 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 Red-bellied Tiger Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Stephen_WV; Additional contributions by cotinis , Chris Wirth , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle
What is Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle?
Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle (Cicindelidia rufiventris) is a species in the family Carabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle?
9-12 mm
How do you identify Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle?
abdomen under the elytra is bright red, especially towards the rear
Where is Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | clay soils or clay mixed with gravel; dirt roads . Burrows under rocks (ssp. hentzi ) or yellow clay (ssp. rufiventris ) |
| Range | e. US (MA-FL panhandle to IL-OK-TX) |
When is Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle active?
Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle: seasonal activity - May-Sep, mostly Jun-Jul.
What is the life cycle of a Eastern Red-bellied Tiger Beetle?
1 or 2 years