Genus Tetracha - Metallic Tiger Beetles

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Range · Life Cycle · Print References · Works Cited

Megacephala - Large Head - Tetracha virginica

Multi colored beetle with large mandable, (maybe some type of dung beetle) - Tetracha carolina

Tetracha at black light, side view - Tetracha carolina

Florida Metallic Tiger Beetle, 3rd-instar larva - Tetracha floridana

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Adephaga (Ground and Water Beetles)

Family Carabidae (Ground Beetles)

Subfamily Cicindelinae (Tiger Beetles)

Tribe Megacephalini (Big-headed Tiger Beetles)

Genus Tetracha (Metallic Tiger Beetles)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Formerly treated as subgenus Tetracha of Megacephala (see discussion).

Explanation of Names

Author of genus Tetracha is Hope, 1838. Meaning is unclear--perhaps a misprint for Tetrarcha? (See, for example, Tetrarchy.)

Author of genus Megacephala is Latreille, 1802. Megacephala means, apparently, "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)

Size

circa 20 mm

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.

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.).

Works Cited

1.	A Field Guide To The Tiger Beetles Of The United States And Canada By David Pearson, C. Barry Knisley, Charles J. Kazilek, David L. Pearson, Barry C. Knisley

Contributed by Cotinis on 26 March, 2004 - 10:09pm
Additional contributions by TCMacRae, Nick Block
Last updated 25 October, 2009 - 3:29pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version