Cicindela theatina explained

Cicindela theatina, commonly known as the Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle, is a predatory beetle found in sparsely vegetated sandy habitats.^[1] The species' range encompasses only about in the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.^[2] Despite its small range, the species is relatively secure because its entire habitat is within a protected national park.^{[3] [4]}

The adults are about long and are readily distinguished by the violin-shaped marking on their backs and their iridescent green-blue heads.^[1]

The insects live for approximately 2.5 years, with mating occurring in late May and larvae appearing the next month.^[2] The larval stage lasts a little more than a year, with adults emerging the next July.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Insects, Spiders, Centipedes, Millipedes . Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve . . November 25, 2017.
2. Natural History of the Colorado Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle, Cicindela theatina Rotger . Transactions of the American Entomological Society . Phyllis M. . Pineda . Boris C. . Kondratieff . 129 . 3/4 . December 2003 . 333–360 . 25078819.
3. News: How biologists are working to keep the Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle off the endangered species list . Bruce . Finley . The Denver Post . June 25, 2017 . November 25, 2017.
4. Validation of tiger beetles as distinct family (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), review and reclassification of tribal relationships. Duran . Daniel P.. Gough . Harlan M.. Systematic Entomology. 45. 4. 2020. 10.1111/syen.12440. free.