Species Cicindela sexguttata - Six-spotted Tiger Beetle

Classification · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle - Cicindela sexguttata

I don't see six spots on this beetle, but... - Cicindela sexguttata

Six-Spotted Green Tiger Beetle - Cicindela sexguttata

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 Cicindelini (Flashy Tiger Beetles)

Genus Cicindela (Common Tiger Beetles)

Species sexguttata (Six-spotted Tiger Beetle)

Numbers

One of 84 Nearctic species in the genus.

Size

12-14 mm.

Identification

Brilliant green coloration with six white spots. No other Nearctic Tiger Beetle looks much like this one. Occasional variation seen—overall color may be bluish on some individuals, and spots may be missing on some individuals.

Range

In the United States, found over much of the eastern and Great Plains states. Absent from the Gulf Coast area. Range continues into southeastern Canada.

Habitat

Dirt paths in grassy areas, but seldom far from the woods. Also found hunting along sidewalks and roads.

Food

A variety of insects.

Remarks

Over much of America, this is probably the species of Tiger Beetle most often noticed by the general public.

Print References

(1)

(2)

Internet References

Tiger Beetles of West Virginia

Tiger Beetles of Connecticut

Works Cited

1.	Tiger Beetles of West Virginia By Thomas J. Allen and Robert E. Acciavatti

2.	Tiger Beetles: A Field Guide and Identification Manual for Florida and Eastern U.S. By Paul Merrill Choate

Contributed by Stephen Cresswell on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Nick Block
Last updated 10 June, 2009 - 10:42pm

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