Neocicindela tuberculata

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Common tiger beetle
Cicindela tuberculata.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cicindelidae
Genus: Neocicindela
Species:
N. tuberculata
Binomial name
Neocicindela tuberculata
Fabricius, 1775
Synonyms
  • Cicindela tuberculataFabricius, 1775
  • Cicindela tuberculosaOlivier, 1790a
  • Cicindela tuberculata tuberculataChaudoir, 1865a
  • Cicindela huttoniBroun, 1877b
  • Neocicindela tuberculataRivalier, 1963

Neocicindela tuberculata is a species of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae, endemic to New Zealand. Its common names include common tiger beetle, moeone, and papapa, and in its larval stage penny doctor, butcher boy, kapuku, kui, kurikuri, moeone, and muremure. Neocicindela tuberculata was the first carabid beetle described from New Zealand. The species can run as fast as 5 miles per hour and are considered to be the fastest running beetles. Adult species prefer clay banks in summer and are good predators when in comes to insects. [1]

Contents

N. tuberculata are found throughout New Zealand and can be seen on hot sunny days on clay tracks or sandy areas. As well as running it can also fly. The adult beetle is approximately 2.5 cm long, and is greenish in colour with yellow markings on the side of the elytra. It eats other insects as food. [2]

Identification

Adults

Tiger beetle genera are very similar in colour and because of this they can be hard to identify, [3] with the main difference between species being in the proportions of their body parts. [4] The adult Neocicindela tuberculata has long legs, much like other tiger beetles, and its tarsal claws are about half the length of tarsal segment 5. [5] The beetle is about 9–12 mm in length with a dark brown head and pronotum. The elytra (wing coverings or hardened for wings) are dark brown with some tinges of velvet black and moderately wide, pale yellow markings on the outer sides of the elytra. [5] [6] The elytra also have dark areas and are “densely covered with minute green punctures”. [5] The dark areas of the elytra are moderately shiny and have a lustre that is metallic and bronze or green in colour. The elytra also begin to widen behind the middle. They have dark antennae and femurs, but pale tibias and tarsi. The first antennal segment also has anywhere between five or nine setiferous pores. [5]

Larvae

The larvae look quite different to the adult in the fact that they are almost grub like. They have a 13-segmented abdomen that is slender and elongate. [7] The larvae also has paired sub-apical cerci and prominent dorsal hooks on the 5th segment of the abdomen that are used to keep them in place in their burrow. The tarsi of the larvae also contains one or two claws. [7] There are also lateral ocelli (eyes) on the larvae and these are constructed in such a way that they can scan a wide field of vision as well as look in different directions for prey. [4] The labrum of the larvae is well developed and projects from the head of the insect. [8] The larvae slowly widens after segment five and segment 9 will have a pronounced dorsal hump. [8]

Life cycle/Phenology

Mating for N. tuberculata occurs during February [9] and after this occurs the female lays her eggs in the soil by drilling many holes with her ovipositor, and laying one egg in each hole. [10] These holes are initially big enough for the larvae, however as the larvae grow, so too must the hole. As they develop and grow in size, the larvae will make the hole bigger, therefore the size of the burrow will determine the age of the larvae. [10] The larval stage depends on not only the species of Cicindela, but also the frequency of food, and the climate, however the larval stage will generally only last for one to two years depending on these resources. [10] Once the larvae are ready to pupate they do so and this stage is very brief, [10] beginning in February, which is when the larval population declines to a point where they are no longer seen. [9] When it is pupating, the larvae plugs the hole of its burrow and descends to the bottom of the burrow where it digs a side cavity to pupate in. The adults will emerge in spring or early summer, where they will mate and die before autumn is finished. [10]

Geographic Distribution and habitat

Natural global range

There are two endemic genera of tiger Beetles in New Zealand and these are represented by 16 different species, of which Neoicindela tuberculata is one. [5]

New Zealand range

Neocicindela tuberculata is found across all regions of the North Island and is also found in the Marlborough and Tasman regions of the South Island. [9] It is most often found on the lowland areas of these regions. [9]

Habitat preferences

N. tuberculata is found in most habitats [9] but generally prefers open areas. [11] [12] N. tuberculata is a diurnal (active in daylight/sunshine) insect so would be most benefited by areas with large amounts of sunlight. [3] [9] They are also generally found in physiological and ecologically uncomplicated areas. [3] [11] The larvae of N. tuberculata prefer to dig their burrows in on dry soil, particularly exposed sand or peaty soil [13] as well as clay banks. [9]

Diet and foraging

Both the adult and the larvae of Neocicindela tuberculata are predators of other insects. The adults of N. tuberculata eat mainly caterpillars and flies, [9] and it has been said that the “mean mandible length (chord) is directly related to mean size of prey captures by tiger beetles throughout the world”. [3] Food data and mouthpart morphology of the tiger Beetle genera, shows that they are opportunistic predators that can feed on a variety of small prey. [9] The adults use their long legs, and therefore running capabilities, to catch their prey, along with their short flight capabilities. [10] The larvae dig vertical burrows in the ground [4] [8] [9] [10] which can be up to 15 cm deep [9] [10] and are kept constantly clean and smooth by the larvae. [4] Once the larvae have burrowed into their holes, they sit at the entrance in such a way that their head is at the entrance of the hole and their body fills the rest of their hole. [4] Once the larvae spots prey they determine the best way to catch it based on its size, by either going back into their burrow and seizing it when it falls in, or by darting out and seizing the prey that way. [4] The larvae generally feed on flies and other small invertebrates, [9] similar to what the adult feeds on.

Predators, Parasites, and Diseases

Neocicindela tuberculata is preyed on by a number of different birds such as kiwis and magpies. [9] It is also preyed on by Asilids, better known as Assassin flies or Robber flies. To protect itself from these predators the adult emits a musky smell when it is disturbed. [9] C. tuberculata is also part of the only beetle family (tiger beetles) that are capable of instantaneous flight and there is a possibility that they also use this to evade predators. [4] The tiger beetle family are generally the fastest running beetles because of their long legs. [4] This could also be used as a method of evasion from predators.

Other information

Neocicindela tuberculata was the first carabid beetle to be described from New Zealand in 1775. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beetle</span> Order of insects

Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera, in the superorder Holometabola. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 described species, is the largest of all orders, constituting almost 40% of described insects and 25% of all known animal species; new species are discovered frequently, with estimates suggesting that there are between 0.9 and 2.1 million total species. Found in almost every habitat except the sea and the polar regions, they interact with their ecosystems in several ways: beetles often feed on plants and fungi, break down animal and plant debris, and eat other invertebrates. Some species are serious agricultural pests, such as the Colorado potato beetle, while others such as Coccinellidae eat aphids, scale insects, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects that damage crops. Some others also have unusual characteristics, such as fireflies, which use a light-emitting organ for mating and communication purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Histeridae</span> Family of beetles

Histeridae is a family of beetles commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles. This very diverse group of beetles contains 3,900 species found worldwide. They can be easily identified by their shortened elytra that leaves two of the seven tergites exposed, and their geniculate (elbowed) antennae with clubbed ends. These predatory feeders are most active at night and will fake death if they feel threatened. This family of beetles will occupy almost any kind of niche throughout the world. Hister beetles have proved useful during forensic investigations to help in time of death estimation. Also, certain species are used in the control of livestock pests that infest dung and to control houseflies. Because they are predacious and will even eat other hister beetles, they must be isolated when collected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dermestidae</span> Family of beetles

Dermestidae are a family of Coleoptera that are commonly referred to as skin beetles. Other common names include larder beetle, hide or leather beetles, carpet beetles, and khapra beetles. There are over 1,800 species described.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salt Creek tiger beetle</span> Subspecies of beetle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asilidae</span> Family of flies

The Asilidae are the robber fly family, also called assassin flies. They are powerfully built, bristly flies with a short, stout proboscis enclosing the sharp, sucking hypopharynx. The name "robber flies" reflects their expert predatory habits; they feed mainly or exclusively on other insects and, as a rule, they wait in ambush and catch their prey in flight.

<i>Cicindela sexguttata</i> Species of beetle

The six-spotted tiger beetle, also known as the six-spotted green tiger beetle, is a common North American species of tiger beetle in the Cicindelinae subfamily. It is common in many areas of the states, and is well known. It is recognized for its bright green color and its flight pattern. The beetle is largely harmless to humans and may live as long as three years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleridae</span> Checkered beetles

Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences.

<i>Cotinis nitida</i> Species of beetle

Cotinis nitida, commonly known as the green June beetle, June bug or June beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in the eastern United States and Canada, where it is most abundant in the South. It is sometimes confused with the related southwestern species figeater beetle Cotinis mutabilis, which is less destructive.

<i>Cicindela ohlone</i> Species of beetle

Cicindela ohlone, the Ohlone tiger beetle, is endemic to California. It was discovered in 1987 and named and described in 1993. C. ohlone is most closely related to Cicindela purpurea.

<i>Cicindela repanda</i> Species of beetle

Cicindela repanda, commonly known as the bronzed tiger beetle or common shore tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle that is 10–13 millimetres (0.39–0.51 in) long and lives in most of North America. It has a small labrum with one tooth and a coppery, hairy pronotum. The shoulder marking usually touches the middle band. It is most often seen in spring and summer, and it lives in sand, gravel, or clay soil. It feeds on many species of insects and even some fruit. The species has a two-year life cycle. It can be found across sand dunes around the Great Lakes. The species comprises three subspecies: C. repanda repanda, C. repanda novascotiae, and C. repanda tanneri.

<i>Lebia grandis</i> Species of beetle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brachypsectridae</span> Family of beetles

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<i>Cicindela albissima</i> Species of beetle

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.

<i>Cicindela patruela</i> Species of beetle


Cicindela patruela, the northern barrens tiger beetle, is a species of tiger beetle found in eastern North America. Due to their specific habitat requirements as well as human involvement, populations of this species have declined significantly in several regions, including most of New England, Ontario, and Quebec.

<i>Costelytra giveni</i> Species of beetle

Costelytra giveni, commonly known as New Zealand grass grub, is a scarab beetle that is endemic to New Zealand and is a prevalent pasture pest.

<i>Anisodactylus binotatus</i> Species of beetle


Anisodactylus binotatus is a species of ground beetle native to Europe. It was discovered as being introduced to Canterbury, New Zealand in 1938. Anisodactylus binotatus is a species of Carabidae, also known as the ground beetle family. Although this species of beetle has no official recorded common names, literature from England refers to it as the common shortspur beetle.

<i>Habroscelimorpha dorsalis</i> Species of beetle

Habroscelimorpha dorsalis, commonly known as the eastern beach tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

<i>Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis</i> Subspecies of beetle

Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, commonly known as the northeastern beach tiger beetle, is the largest subspecies of eastern beach tiger beetle. In 2012, Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis was reclassified under the name Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, but the names are used synonymously in recently published literature. Fitting to its common name, the northeastern beach tiger beetle dwells along the U.S. northeast coast in small sand burrows. The beetle is diurnal and can be spotted by its light tan coloring with dark lines and green hues on its thorax and head.

<i>Rivacindela hudsoni</i> Species of beetle

Rivacindela hudsoni is an Australian species of the family Cicindelinae or "tiger beetle" and is the fastest running insect. The genus Rivacindela is contentiously treated as a subgenus of the broader Cicindela and are typically found in salty habitats such as dry salt lakes and salt streams. The species was discovered in South Australia and described in 1997, with an adult form of approximately 20–21mm in length and a running speed of 2.49 m/s, or 120 body lengths per second.

<i>Neocicindela dunedensis</i> Species of beetle

Neocicindela dunedensis, also known as the Dunedin tiger beetle, is a small species of tiger beetle in the genus Neocicindela endemic to New Zealand.

References

  1. ↑ "Cicindela tuberculata". Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  2. ↑ Manson, D. C. M. (1960). Native Beetles in New Zealand. Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed. p. 50.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Pearson, D.L. & Juliano, S.A. (1993). Evidence for the influence of historical process inco-occurrence and diversity of Tiger beetle species. In R.E. Ricklefs., D, Schluter (Ed.) Species diversity in ecological communities: historical and geographical perspectives (pp. 194 – 202). Chicago, USA: the university of Chicago press.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Klausnitzer, B. (1981). Beetles. New York, USA: Exeter Books
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Larochelle, A. & Larivière, M.-C. (2013). Fauna of New Zealand Number 69: Carabidae (Insecta: Coleoptera): synopsis of species, Cicindelinae to Trechinae (in part). Lincoln, Canterbury: Manaaki Whenau Press, Landcare Research.
  6. ↑ White, Adam; Butler, Arthur Gardiner (1846). The zoology of the voyage of the H.M.S. Erebus & Terror, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross - Insects. London: E. W. Janson. p. 1. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.7364 . Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  7. 1 2 Luff, M.L. (2006a) Beetle larvae. In J.Cooter., M.V.L. Barclay (Ed.) A Coleopterist’s handbook (pp. 178 – 199), Tower Hill, Essex: Cravitz Printing Company Ltd.
  8. 1 2 3 Hudson, G.V. (1934). New Zealand Beetles and Their Larvae; an Elementary Introduction to the Study of Our Native Coleoptera. Wellington: Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Larochelle, A. & Larivière, M.-C. (2001). Fauna of New Zealand Number 43: Carabidae (Insecta: Coleoptera): catalogue. Lincoln, Canterbury: Manaaki Whenau Press, Landcare Research.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Emberson, R. M. & Keitha, M., (2003). Biodiversity of terrestrial invertebrates in Christchurch City: a report for the Christchurch City Council.
  11. 1 2 Watts, C.H.; Clarkson, B.R.; Didham, R.K. (2008). "Rapid beetle community convergence following experimental habitat restoration in a mined peat bog". Biological Conservation. 141 (2): 568–579. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2007.12.008.
  12. ↑ Pawson, S.M.; Brockerhoff, E.G.; Didham, R.K. (2009). "Native forest generalists dominate carabid assemblages along a stand age chronosequence in an exotic Pinus radiata plantation". Forest Ecology and Management. 258: S108–S116. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2009.08.012.
  13. ↑ Luff, M.L. (2006b) Breeding: Rearing larvae. In J.Cooter., M.V.L. Barclay (Ed.) A Coleopterist’s handbook (pp. 367 – 378), Tower Hill, Essex: Cravitz Printing Company Ltd.
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