Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
All of the species in the tribe Cicindelini were placed in this genus until Erwin and Pearson (2008) elevated several subgenera to genus rank. These include Brasiella, Cylindera, Dromochorus, Ellipsoptera, Eunota, Habroscelimorpha, and Opilidia.
Explanation of Names
From Latin
cicindela a glowworm (
Word Roots and Combining Forms). This would appear to refer to the larvae.
Numbers
Nearctica
(1) lists 94 North American species in
Cicindela sensu lato. Incorporating the split into multiple genera discussed above, there would be fewer species in
Cicindela sensu stricto.
Worldwide, there are 850-2,300 species, depending on the taxonomy adopted (Wikipedia--
Cicindela).
Habitat
typically open habitats with sandy soil, often near streams or ponds, lakes; some species in woodlands, clay soils
Remarks
One North American species of
Cicindela is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (
Cicindela ohlone).
Print References
Erwin, T. L. and D. L. Pearson. 2008. A Treatise on the Western Hemisphere Caraboidea (Coleoptera). Their classification, distributions, and ways of life. Volume II (Carabidae-Nebriiformes 2-Cicindelitae). Pensoft Series Faunistica 84. Pensoft Publishers, Sofia, 400 pp.
