Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Formerly treated as subgenus
Tetracha of
Megacephala Latreille, 1802 (see
discussion).
Explanation of Names
From Greek
tetra four, plus (presumably) Greek
aca point (
Word Roots and Combining Forms, see
Remarks).
Former genus, Megacephala means "big head".
Numbers
Following the most recent revision of the genus (Naviaux 2007), the four North American species are treated as follows:
Tetracha (
s. str.)
virginica
Tetracha (s. str.) carolina
Tetracha (s. str.) floridana stat. nov. - peninsular Florida (no longer ssp. of carolina)
Tetracha (Neotetracha subg. nov.) impressa - lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas (= "affinis" of previous authors)
Range
Southeastern and southwestern United States into Central America
Life Cycle
Members of this genus are nocturnal, so not seen as frequently as other tiger beetles. They are attracted to lights. Some references state they fly infrequently and/or poorly.
Remarks
Quoting from the original description: Hope,
The Coleopterist's Manual, vol. 2, p. 6 (
Biodiversity Heritage Library Link):
Genus 2. Tetracha.--Westwood.--Inhabits the New World. (Mandibles with four apical teeth) (Typus Cic. Carolina Linnaeus)
The description refers to the four apical teeth of the mandibles, which seems to indicate this is the origin of the name Tetracha.
Print References
Pearson et al.,
A Field Guide To The Tiger Beetles Of The United States And Canada (1)
Naviaux R. 2007. Tetracha (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae). Memoires of the Societe Entomologique de France #7, 197 pp.).
Contributed by
Cotinis on 26 March, 2004 - 10:09pm
Additional contributions by
TCMacRae,
Nick BlockLast updated 17 November, 2009 - 9:38am
