© Copyright Sheryl Pollock 2011 · 9 Harpalus herbivagus, Ground Beetle IDnature guides Beetle British Isles Carabidae New York Checklist Australia Coleoptera Cicindelidae Groups Insecta Nearctic Coleoptera Night Links We parsed the following live from the Web into this page. Such content is managed by its original site and not cached on Discover Life. Please send feedback and corrections directly to the source. See original regarding copyrights and terms of use. Image, James L. Castner, University of Florida, Department of Entomology & Nematology BioKIDS University of Michigan Department of Education and Museum of Zoology 80x5 - 240x3 - 240x4 - 320x1 - 320x2 - 320x3 - 640x1 - 640x2 Set display option above. Click on images to enlarge. © Copyright Sheryl Pollock 2011 · 9 Calosoma externum, Ground Beetle © Copyright Sheryl Pollock 2011 · 9 Cicindela sexguttata, Six-spotted Tiger Beetle © John Pickering, 2004-2023 · 9 Calosoma scrutator, Fiery Searcher © Copyright source/photographer · 7 Cicindela tranquebarica U, face, Maryland, Anne Arundel County © Copyright source/photographer · 7 Cicindela tranquebarica, U, side, Maryland, Anne Arundel County © Copyright Hadel Go 2014 · 7 Agonum punctiforme © Copyright Sheryl Pollock 2011 · 6 Cicindela sexguttata, Tiger Beetle © Copyright source/photographer · 5 Pterostichus permundus, u, maryland, cove point, back © Copyright source/photographer · 5 Pterostichus permundus, u, maryland, cove point, tarsal setae © Copyright source/photographer · 5 Calosoma scrutator, back, AR © Copyright source/photographer · 5 Calosoma scrutator, side, AR © Copyright source/photographer · 5 Cicindela hirticollis, back © Copyright source/photographer · 5 Cicindela hirticollis, face © Copyright source/photographer · 5 Stenocrepis mexicana, u, maryland, cove point, back © Steve Marshall, University of Guelph · 1 Cicindela formosa © Steve Marshall, University of Guelph · 1 Cicindela purpurea © B. Knisley · 1 Cicindelidae © B. Knisley · 1 Cicindelidae © T. Koenig · 1 Cicindelidae © T. Koenig · 1 Cicindelidae © T. Koenig · 1 Cicindelidae © Paul M. Choate, University of Florida · 1 Cicindelidae © Paul M. Choate, University of Florida · 1 Cicindelidae see all kinds   •  688 thumbnails  •  slide show Kinds Abacetus Abaris Abax Acanthoferonia Acrogenys Acupalpus Adelotopus Adotela Aenigma Aephnidius Aepus Agonica Agonocheila Agonum Agra Amara Amblycheila Amblygnathus Amblystomus Amblytelus Amerinus Ameroduvalius Ametroglossus Amphasia Anasis Anatrichis Anchomenus Anchonoderus Andrewesia Anillaspis Anillinus Anillodes Anisodactylus Anomotarus Anthracus Apenes Apotomus Apristus Archicolliuris Ardistomis Aristolebia Arthropterus Asaphidion Aspidoglossa Atranus Aulacolius Austranillus Austrotrechus Axinopalpus Aztecarpalus Badister Barrymooreana Basistichus Batenus Batoscelis Bembidion Blemus Blethisa Bothynotrechus Brachidius Brachinus Bracteon Bradycellus Brigalowia Brithysternum Broscodera Broscus Caelostomus Cainogenion Calathus Calleida Callistus Calodromius Calosoma Calybe Calyptogonia Caphora Carabus Carenum Castelnaudia Catadromus Catascopus Celaenephes Celanida Cenogmus Cerotalis 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Nebriosoma Nelidus Nelsonites Nemotarsus Neocarenum Neoeudalia Neohelluo Neonomius Neoscaphus Nickerlea Nomius Notabax Notagonum Notiobia Notiophilus Notolestus Notonomus Notoplatynus Notospeophonus Nototrechus Nurus Ocys Odacantha Olisthopus Omestes Omophron Omus Onota Oodes Oodinus Ophionea Ophonus Ophryogaster Opisthius Oxycrepis Oxydrepanus Oxyodontus Oxypselaphus Ozaena Pachyteles Pamborus Panagaeus Paradromius Paranchus Paranurus Parascopodes Paratachys Paratrechodes Paratrichothorax Parazuphium Parena Parophonus Parroa Pasimachus Patrobus Paussotropus Pediomorphus Pelmatellus Pelophila Pentagonica Percodermus Percolestus Percosoma Pericompsus Perigona Perileptus Phaenaulax Pheropsophus Philipis Philophloeus Philorhizus Philoscaphus Phloeoxena Phorticosomus Phrypeus Physea Physodera Physoloesthus Piesmus Piosoma Plagiotelum Planetes Platidiolus Platycoelus Platyderus Platyhelluo Platylytron Platynus Platypatrobus Platysphyrus Plochionus Poecilus Pogonistes Pogonodaptus Pogonoglossus Pogonoschema Pogonus Polistichus Polpochila Polyderis Porocara Porotachys Promecoderus Promecognathus Prosopogmus Pseudagonica Pseudamara Pseudamblytelus Pseudanophthalmus Pseudaptinus Pseudillaphanus Pseudoceneus Pseudoclivina Pseudomorpha Psydrus Pterocyrtus Pterogmus Pterostichus Pterostychus Raphetis Renneria Rhabdotus Rhadine Rhaebolestes Rhysocara Rhysopleura Rhytisternus Rugitarus Sarothrocrepis Sarticus Scaphinotus Scaraphites Scarites Schizogenius Scopodes Scybalicus Secatophus Selenophorus Semiardistomis Sericoda Setalimorphus Setalis Setodyschirius Siagonyx Simodontus Sitaphe Sloaneana Sloanella Somotrichus Speotarus Speothalpius Speozuphium Sphaeroderus Sphallomorpha Sphodrus Steganomma Stenocrepis Stenolophus Stenomorphus Stereocerus Stichonotus Stomis Stricklandia Syleter Syntomus Synuchus Syrdenoidius Tachys Tachyta Tanystoma Tasmanillus Tasmanitachoides Tasmanorites Tasmanotrechus Tecnophilus Teraphis Teropha Tetragonoderus Tetraleucus Thalassophilus Thalassotrechus Thalpius Theprisa Tinognathus Trechiella Trechimorphus Trechistus Trechobembix Trechoblemus Trechodes Trechus Trephisa Trichamblytelus Tricharnhemia Trichisia Trichocarenum Trichocellus Trichosternus Trichotichnus Tricondyla Trigonothops Troglanillus Tropidotrechus Violagonum Xenotrechus Xestonotus Zabrus Zacotus Zeodera Zuphium Overview Click here to visit Steve Marshall's tiger beetles of Ontario website. "Tiger beetles are one of the more popular groups of beetles among collectors. They comprise a diverse group containing approximately 2000 species (Pearson, 1988) with many elaborate, brightly colored, and iridescent patterns. They are distributed worldwide with the exceptions of Tasmania, Antarctica, and a few small oceanic islands (Pearson, 1988). They are small to medium sized insects (7-40 mm) easily identified by their long, sickle-shaped mandibles, thin running legs, bulbous wide set eyes, and 11 segmented antennae (Knisley & Schultz, 1997). The eyes tend to be the main characteristic by which this group is differentiated from the closely related ground beetles (Carabidae)."-- Knisley & Schultz Identification Identifying characteristics for the family Cicindelidae include: First abdominal sternite divided by hind coxae (suborder Adephaga). Prominent eyes such that head is as wide as or wider than pronotum. Pronotum narrower than elytra. Antennae filiform and inserted above base of mandibles. Often patterned on elytra, or blue or metallic green. Tarsi 5-5-5. Geographic distribution "Tiger beetles occur on most continents. In the United States they are predominantly found in sandy open habitats, including river sandbars, ocean beaches, mudflats, dunes, rocky outcroppings, and even along woodland paths. There are approximately 100 species of tiger beetles in the US, included in four genera."--(University of Florida) Natural history "Recognition in the field is attributed to their long, sickle-shaped mandibles, large and prominent eyes in a head wider than the thorax, often striking and contrasting patterns on the elytra, and long, cursorial legs (Pearson 1988, Wallis 1961). This family of beetles is principally diurnal and individuals are readily observed in preferred open exposed habitats (Pearson 1985, Dreisig 1981)."--(Colorado State University) Life Cycle (University of Florida) Eggs: Eggs are deposited singly in shallow depressions. Upon eclosion the 1st instar larva digs a vertical burrow in which it will remain until pupation and adult emergence. Before each molt the larva plugs its burrow. Larvae: Larvae are S-shaped, with dorsal abdominal hooks (segment 5) which are used to hold position in their vertical burrows. Some species have adapted to surviving long periods of flooding (river species). Burrows range in depth from 8-10 inches (20-25cm) (Megacephala) to several feet (100cm) (Cicindela spp.), the extreme example being that of C. lepida whose larvae have been found to burrow six feet (180cm) deep. Larvae of Florida species (C. abdominalis, C. scutellaris, and C. hirtilabris) burrow to 30 inches. Species that occupy salt flats have larvae whose burrow depths are probably limited by the water table. The few species examined by me have been found to burrow less than one foot. Location of larval burrows has led to the demise of many populations of Cicindela dorsalis. Larval burrows have been marked in a photo taken at Anastasia State Park, Florida. Flags mark the location of C. dorsalis media larvae. Unfortunately the usual site of burrows is also the preferred path for pedestrian and vehicular traffic on beaches in Florida. This conflict has resulted in the complete extinction of populations of this species along many beach areas on both coasts of Florida, and is a topic of concern for remnant populations of other coastal tiger beetles. Among Florida species the only two whose larval habitats remain unknown are C. striga and C. olivacea. Adults: Adults of most species occur only during the summer months at Florida localities (Megacephala spp., C. abdominalis, C. scabrosa, C. highlandensis, C. hirtilabris, C. gratiosa and others), while at least two species occur only during the cooler months in Florida (C. scutellaris unicolor and C. nigrior). Larvae occur during late summer and overwinter as last instars. Pupation probably occurs in springtime for summer species. Larvae occur in same habitat as adults for many species, or are found in close proximity to adult habitats for those species that occur in wet areas. Parasites and Predators: Tiger beetles are parasitized as larvae by the Diptera family Bombyliidae and the Hymenoptera family Tiphiidae, genus Methoca and genus Pterombrus. They also are regularly preyed upon by robber flies of the Diptera family Asilidae. How to encounter "Adults are active both during daylight hours and at night. During daytime hours adults are found on sandier portions of alkali flats. Nighttime activity includes mating. Individuals are readily attracted to lights, including automobile headlights, "blacklights", and mercury vapor lights. Large numbers may be collected using these attractants."--(University of Florida) Links to other sites http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/courses/en507/papers_1999/pineda.htm References Dreisig, H. 1981. The rate of predation and its temperature dependence in a tiger beetle Cicindela hybrida. Oikos 36:196-202. Knisley, C.B. and T.D. Schultz. 1997. The biology of tiger beetles and a guide to the species of the South Atlantic States. Virginia Museum of Natural History. pp 12-87 . Pearson, D.L. 1985. The function of multiple anti-predator mechanisms in adult tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Ecological Entomology 10:65-72. Pearson, D.L. 1988. Biology of Tiger Beetles. Annual Review of Entomology. 33:123-147. Wallis, J.B. 1961. The Cicindelidae of Canada. University of Toronto Press. Toronto . Acknowledgements Steve Marshall Environmental Biology University of Guelph, Ontario Supported by National Biological Information Infrastructure National Science Foundation go to Discover Life's Facebook group Following served from James L. Castner, University of Florida, Department of Entomology & Nematology    Top | See original context Following modified from BioKIDS University of Michigan Department of Education and Museum of Zoology    Top | See original Skip directly to main content . Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species CyberTracker Tools ChangeThinking Animal Diversity Web Critter Catalog Field Guides Research Resources About Us Glossary Help Critter Catalog insects Information Pictures Classification Local animals in this group: Additional information: Find carabes, ground beetles information at Encyclopedia of Life carabes, ground beetles Carabidae What do they look like? Ground Beetles are rather diverse in shape. Most adults are glossy and black, but some are iridescent, some are green, some are yellow or orange. Their bodies are usually flattened with grooves or rows of punctures running down the wing covers. They are usually a bit longer than wide, have long legs (for a beetle) and run fast. Larvae have large heads and are somewhat hairy. Other Physical Features ectothermic bilateral symmetry Where do they live? This is a very large family of beetles, with over 26,000 species known from around the world, and many thousands probably not yet known. In Michigan there are as many as 450 species of Ground Beetles. Biogeographic Regions nearctic native palearctic native oriental native ethiopian native neotropical native oceanic islands native What kind of habitat do they need? Ground beetles are found in just about any habitat that has other small animals for them to eat. They are most diverse and common in forests, but can be found on high mountains, in deserts, even on the seashore. These animals are found in the following types of habitat temperate tropical terrestrial Terrestrial Biomes tundra taiga desert or dune chaparral forest rainforest scrub forest mountains Wetlands marsh swamp How do they grow? See page on all Beetles. Development - Life Cycle metamorphosis How long do they live? Most species in this family mature in one year, and can live for 2-3. How do they behave? These beetles are only active at night. They emerge from their hiding places under rocks and logs and search for prey, sometimes climbing up into vegetation. Larvae do not come out on the surface but stay in dead leaves and the surface soil. They are solitary animals, only coming together to mate. Key Behaviors nocturnal motile nomadic solitary How do they communicate with each other? Mostly by taste and smell, though they have large eyes, and no doubt do a lot of touching of things. What do they eat? Ground beetle larvae and adults are predators, eating other small animals. Some speciailze on a particular group ( slugs for example, or caterpillars ) others will eat anything they can find. Primary Diet carnivore eats terrestrial vertebrates eats non-insect arthropods What eats them and how do they avoid being eaten? Ground beetles have their tough beetle shell for protection. They run fast, and only hunt at night. Many can give off bad-tasting chemicals. One group, bombardier beetles, can shoot out boiling hot toxic chemicals from glands on their abdomen! Known Predators shrews moles ground-feeding birds toads lizards ants spiders other beetles Do they cause problems? A few species in this group attack seeds of corn as well as animal prey, but this is usually a minor factor. Ways that these animals might be a problem for humans crop pest How do they interact with us? This group of beetles is very important in controlling pests in the soil, especially the larvae of other insects. Ways that people benefit from these animals: controls pest population Contributors George Hammond (author), Animal Diversity Web.   BioKIDS home   |   Questions?   |   Animal Diversity Web   |   Cybertracker Tools Hammond, G. . "Carabidae" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 30, 2024 at http://www.biokids.umich.edu/accounts/Carabidae/ BioKIDS is sponsored in part by the Interagency Education Research Initiative. It is a partnership of the University of Michigan School of Education , University of Michigan Museum of Zoology , and the Detroit Public Schools . This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant DRL-0628151. Copyright © 2002-2024, The Regents of the University of Michigan. All rights reserved. Updated: 2024-04-30 07:33:16 gmt Discover Life | Top © Designed by The Polistes Corporation