Cicindela floridana explained

Cicindela (Cicindelidia) floridana, or the Miami tiger beetle, is a species of endangered tiger beetle in the tribe Cicindelini. It is restricted to the Miami area in Southern Florida, and is one of the rarest species of tiger beetle in the United States.^{[1] [2]}

Appearance

Adults

The Miami tiger beetle is small, growing between in length, depending on sex.^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]} The colour of the elytra varies; many individuals appear metallic green, but some may be bluish or copper, and may appear black without closer scrutiny.^[8] The elytra have small indentations.

Larvae

The larvae are grub-like and sedentary, with a metallic head and large mandibles. Their fifth segments are enlarged and have hooks, to keep the larva attached in its burrow.

History

The Miami tiger beetle was first discovered and collected in 1934 by Frank N. Young, who sent some to the entomologist Oscar Cartwright. Cartwright only formally described it five years later, as Cicindela abdominalis var. floridana, but no specimens were collected for nearly six decades.^{[9] [10]} In 2007, observations of the beetle were made in the Miami area.

Habitat

The Miami Tiger Beetle is restricted pine rockland habitat around the city of Miami.

Notes and References

1. Knisley . C. Barry . Brzoska . David . March 2018 . Habitat, Distribution, Biology, and Conservation of the Miami Tiger Beetle, Cicindelidia floridana (Cartwright) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) . The Coleopterists Bulletin . 72 . 1 . 1–8 . 10.1649/0010-065X-72.1.1 . 0010-065X.
2. Book: Pearson . David L. . A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada: Identification, Natural History, and Distribution of the Cicindelinae . Knisley . C. Barry . Duran . Daniel P. . Kazilek . Charles J. . 2015-03-10 . Oxford University Press . 978-0-19-936718-4 . en.
3. Web site: ECOS: Species Profile . 2022-10-07 . ecos.fws.gov.
4. Web site: Miami Tiger Beetle Ecology . 2022-10-07 . www.zoomiami.org.
5. Web site: Miami Tiger Beetle (Cicindelidia floridana) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service . 2022-10-07 . FWS.gov . en.
6. Web site: Fun Miami Tiger Beetle Facts For Kids Kidadl . 2022-10-07 . kidadl.com . en.
7. Book: Beaton . Robert Gifford . Tiger Beetles of the Southeastern United States: A Field Guide . Krotzer . R. Stephen . Holt . Brian D. . 2021-08-31 . University of Alabama Press . 978-0-8173-5998-0 . en.
8. Web site: Natural history . 2022-10-07 . www.biologicaldiversity.org.
9. Web site: Miami tiger beetle . 2022-10-07 . www.biologicaldiversity.org.
10. Brzoska . David . Knisley . C. Barry . Slotten . Jeffrey . 2011 . Rediscovery of Cicindela scabrosa floridana Cartwright (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) and its elevation to species level . . ResearchGate.