Cicindela formosa formosa - Big Sands Tiger Beetle
This is the nominate subspecies of Cicindela formosa. The red coloration is typical of this subspecies.
This is the nominate subspecies of Cicindela formosa. The red coloration is typical of this subspecies.
Among the fastest moving land insects in the world, this large and often brightly colored subfamily of Ground Beetles are found in a wide variety of habitats. This particular species can often be found on the beach.
Family Carabidae
This is a really common species over a wide range in the US. Up close you can see a row of punctures running down near the sides of the elytral suture.
Subfamily Cicindelinae
These are really common around lakes and sandy rivers.
Subfamily Cicindelinae
This beautiful Tiger Beetle is the nominate subspecies for Cicndela scutellaris. This on was kind enough to stand still while I got within about 8" to him.
I got the exposure just a bit too dark. But I was within 5 inches of the beetle, which was pretty cool. He's in the shadow of my camera in this.
This is an entirely green subspecies of Cicindela scutellaris. There are several species, and this is one of the prettiest, though Cicindela scutellaris scutellaris is by far the prettiest. Found this guy on sand scrub habitat in Florida
Another dorsal shot of this tiger. The maculations that give it its name are almost absent in this geographic locality
Another, better photo of this species. For some reason I'm having trouble getting a crisp shot of this species.
Another amazing Tiger Beetle. This species is often seen flying away from hikers on muddy trails in forests. This individual let me get right next to it though!
Family Carabidae
Another pretty tiger beetle, wasn't camera shy at all
Subfamily Cicindelinae
They've changed the taxonomy of tiger beetles around. This is now in the genus Ellipsoptera
