Tiger beetles are a family of beetles, Cicindelidae, known for their aggressive predatory habits and running speed. The fastest known species of tiger beetle, Rivacindela hudsoni, can run at a speed of 9 km/h, or about 125 body lengths per second. As of 2005, about 2,600 species and subspecies were known, with the richest diversity in the Oriental (Indo-Malayan) region, followed by the Neotropics. While historically treated as a subfamily of ground beetles (Carabidae) under the name Cicindelinae, several studies since 2020 indicated that they should be treated as a family, the Cicindelidae, which are a sister group to Carabidae within the Adephaga.
Cicindela, commonly known as common tiger beetles, are generally brightly colored and metallic beetles, often with some sort of patterning of ivory or cream-colored markings. They are most abundant and diverse in habitats very often near bodies of water with sandy or occasionally clay soils; they can be found along rivers, sea and lake shores, sand dunes, around dry lakebeds, on clay banks, or woodland paths.
Cicindela repanda, commonly known as the bronzed tiger beetle or common shore tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle that measures 10–13 millimetres (0.39–0.51 in) long, lives in most of North America. Its labrum is small with one tooth and the pronotum is coppery and hairy. The shoulder marking touches or nearly touches the middle band. It is usually seen in spring and summer and it lives in sand, gravel, or clay soil. Its food is many insects and some fruit. The species have a two-year life cycle. It can be found all across sand dunes around the Great Lakes. The species comprises three subspecies: C. repanda repanda, C. repanda novascotiae, and C. repanda tanneri.
Cicindela hirticollis is a species of tiger beetle that is commonly found in sand bars and sandy beaches of North America. It is medium-sized, is about 2–14 mm (0.08–0.55 in) long, and is active in the summer. The dorsal surfaces of the head, prothorax, and elytra are dark brown. The elytral markings are very light-colored cream or white. The species' common names are hairy-necked tiger beetle and moustached tiger beetle. Its population is in decline.
Cicindela limbalis, the common claybank tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle. The length of the beetle is 12–16 millimeters (0.5–0.6 in). The beetle's back is reddish purple and sometimes may be dull green or brown. The species can commonly be found on steep, moist bare clay soil. The beetle can live for 3 years.
Cicindela aurulenta, common name blue-spotted or golden-spotted tiger beetle, is a beetle of the family Cicindelidae.
Cicindela highlandensis, commonly known as the Highlands tiger beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is endemic to central Florida in the United States. It is rare and a candidate for federal protection.
Cicindela albissima, commonly called the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle is a species of tiger beetle endemic to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in southern Utah, United States. It was originally described by Rumpp in 1962 as the subspecies Cicindela limbata albissima, but mitochondrial DNA, along with the species' morphological and geographical distinctiveness, have shown that it is a separate species. C. albissima can be distinguished from other Cicindela species by its restricted range and lack of pigmentation on its elytra.
Cicindela denikei, Laurentian tiger beetle is a species of tiger beetle in the Cicindelinae subfamily that can be found in Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario. The species have green coloured elytron and is 13–15 millimetres (0.51–0.59 in) long. It can be found in gravel and sand as well as coniferous forests where it preys on other insect species. When it comes to hunting, adults are either wait for their prey in an ambush or chase it. It larvae usually digs burrows in which they wait for their victim to come by. Once an unsuspected arthropod is in sight, it opens it jaws and eats it.
Cicindela arenicola is a species of tiger beetle in the genus Cicindela. It was first described in 1967. Its common names include St. Anthony Dune tiger beetle and Idaho Dunes tiger beetle.
Cicindela theatina, commonly known as the Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle, is a predatory beetle found in sparsely vegetated sandy habitats. The species' range encompasses only about 290 square kilometres (110 sq mi) in the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Despite its small range, the species is relatively secure because its entire habitat is within a protected national park.
Cicindela depressula, the dispirited tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela waynei, known generally as the bruneau dune tiger beetle or bruneau tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found exclusively in Idaho, a state of the United States in North America.
Cicindela lengi, the blowout tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela fulgida, known generally as the crimson saltflat tiger beetle or shiny tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela scutellaris, the festive tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela bellissima, the Pacific coast tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela formosa, the big sand tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela purpurea, known generally as the purple tiger beetle or cow path tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela senilis, or the senile tiger beetle is a species of tiger beetle found in western California. It lives in tidal mud flats and both coastal and inland salt marshes.
