Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
formerly considered a subspecies of C. repanda
Explanation of Names
Species name means "twelve-spotted"
(1).
Numbers
One of 84 Nearctic species in the genus.
Identification
The usual bands are often broken into spots - 12 spots on some individuals. On other individuals, the bands may be more intact and there will be fewer than 12 spots or marks. The shoulder marking (humeral lunule), whether entire or broken, is well-separated from the middle band or middle spots.
Range
southern Canada and United States east of the Rockies but absent from Florida and the coastal southeast (see
distribution map). Much the same range as
C. repanda, and often found with it.
Habitat
Margins of streams, rivers, ponds. Adults and larvae overwinter in burrows near the stream or pond margin.
Season
Usually seen in spring (April-June) and again in late summer/early fall (August-October). In North Carolina, recorded April-May (June in mountains), August-October
(2).
Life Cycle
Two year life cycle, with third instar larvae passing through the first winter, and adults the second winter.
Remarks
Hybridizes with C. oregona in a small area of the Rocky Mountains in midwestern US.
See Also
In the
Common Shore Tiger Beetle (
C. repanda), the humeral lunule touches, or nearly touches, the anterior projection of the middle band (see
image by Patrick Coin).
Oregon Tiger Beetle (
C. oregona) is very similar but does not occur east of the Rocky Mountains.
Print References
Choate, plates 61, 62 lists, but there are no records for Florida
(3).
Pearson, pp. 66-67, plate 4
(5)Internet References
Tiger Beetles of West Virginia live adult image plus description and habitat (Stephen Cresswell, West Virginia)
Tiger Beetles of Connecticut live adult image plus description, distribution, similar species (U. of Connecticut)
pinned adult image plus description, habitat, seasonality, biology, distribution (Strickland Entomological Museum, U. of Alberta)
pinned adult image plus description, habitat, seasonality (North Dakota State U.)
North American distribution map showing area of hybridization with
C. oregona (Imperial College, UK)
