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.
Maximilien Chaudoir, or Maximilien, baron de Chaudoir, was a Russian entomologist. He was a specialist in Coleoptera and in particular the Carabidae. His Cicindelidae are conserved by the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris. His Carabidae were acquired by Charles Oberthür (1845–1924), then given to the same museum. He wrote Mémoire sur la famille des Carabiques, 6 volumes commencing 1848.
Cicindela aurofasciata is a species of tiger beetle endemic to India. It usually occurs in open grass dominated habitats and varies in size between 12 and 14 mm long. It is closely related to Cicindela goryi which was treated as a subspecies.
Apteroessa grossa is a species of tiger beetles in the family Cicindelidae, the sole species in the genus Apteroessa and described on the basis of a specimen from the Coromandel region (Tranquebar) in southern India. It is somewhat large and robust, and is among the few tiger beetles with highly reduced wings making them flightless. There are three known specimens in museums, with varying degrees of damage. The species has not been seen in the wild after its description in the 18th century and is thought to be extremely local in distribution.
Jansenia is a genus in the beetle family Cicindelidae. There are at least 40 species in the genus, all of which are found only in South Asian region, with several endemic to India and Sri Lanka. The genus is characterized on the basis of the male genitalia.
Cicindela aurulenta, common name blue-spotted or golden-spotted tiger beetle, is a beetle of the family Cicindelidae.
Cylindera dromicoides is a species of tiger beetle of the family Cicindelidae. It is flightless and has been found mainly along the Himalayas from India through Nepal and Bhutan and in the Chinese province of Yunnan.
Cicindela lengi, the blowout tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela limbata, the sandy tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela denverensis, the green claybank 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 nigrior, the autumn 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 parowana, the dark saltflat tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela tranquebarica, the oblique-lined tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Cicindela longilabris, the boreal long-lipped tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in North America.
Jansenia venus is a species of tiger beetle endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is found mainly in the summer from May to June inside forest cover. It forages on the ground inside forest but when disturbed it flies and perches on vegetation.
Jansenia rugosiceps is a species of tiger beetle found in southern India. They are found mainly on rocks and boulders on hills in scrub forest. They measure 11–12 mm (0.43–0.47 in) in length. An examination of pygidial gland chemical defenses found that the species does not produce significant benzaldehyde unlike many other tiger beetle species.
