TIGER BEETLES OF CONNECTICUT

Species Accounts

Cicindela duodecimguttata is known from a total of ca. 23 localities within the state. Of 86 specimens databased, the earliest collection record that I have found for this species in CT is 3 May 1914 and the latest is 19 August 1996 (this species was not surveyed post 1996). Since 1985 there have been enough populations documented to state that this species appears to not be declining. Cicindela duodecimguttata, once classified as a subspecies of C. repanda, shares many traits with C. repanda . Where C. duodecimguttata occurs, the more common C. repanda is usually found and both species' larval burrows are shallow (3-5") and often slant obliquely into a bank. In general, these species can be found in sand or gravel banks near water, even temporary sources. Among the few differences are (1) its comparitive rarity relative to C. repanda, (2) the preference for drier habitats of C. duodecimguttata and (3) that this species tends to be an early colonizer of new habitats (J. Shetterly pers. comm.). Although C. duodecimguttata is usually found in low population densities (many population records are based on single specimens), in the mid 1980s two large populations were found in CT. One of these (near Lake Wintergreen in Hamden) has since disappeared due to development of the area. The species is known from 24 states (WI, MI, ON, PQ, NB, NS, PE, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, IL, IN, OH, PA, NJ, MD, DE, DC, NF, LB) (Boyd 1982) but this report lacks information on the current status of populations outside Connecticut.

Synonomies: Cicindela proteus Kirby 1837:9. Cicindela bucolica Casey 1913:28. Cicindela hudsonica Casey 1916:29. Cicindela edmontonensis Carr 1920:218

Conservation status: Not federally listed. Not state listed. Proposed Heritage ranking: S3

Diagnosis: Cicindela duodecimguttata can be differentiated from other Connecticut species by the disconnected elytral markings that form a pattern of 12 marks (hence the specific epithet). This species could be confused with C. repanda because these two species are closely related and the markings of both are similar, however, C. duodecimguttata has these markings broken, at least at the humeral lunule, whereas C. repanda, does not. Cicindela duodecimguttata could also be confused with C. rufiventris which shares a broken elytral pattern, howeverC. rufiventris occurs in rocky and not sandy habitats and it has an unmistakable orange-red abdomen that no other CT species shares. Larvae: (after Hamilton 1925) U-shaped ridge on caudal part of frons with only 2 distinct setae (not 3 or 4); inner hooks with 2 setae; numerous white setae on the dorsal aspect pronotum; median hooks with only 2 setae (if 3 then the 3rd is much smaller); the spinelike projection of the inner hooks is never more than 1/6th the entire length of the hook.

Biology: According to Hamilton (1925) this species has not been studied in detail but its life history should be very similar to that of C. repanda.. The burrows are 4 to 5" deep during the summer and 6 to 15" during the winter (loc. cit.).

Distribution in Connecticut:

Material examined: 86 specimens:

USA: Connecticut, Litchfield Co., Cornwall, 4 Sep 1920 (coll. K. F. Chamberlain)--1 adult; 31 Aug 1925 (coll. L. B. Woodruff)--2 adults; Litchfield, 9 Feb 1925 (coll. L. B. Woodruff)--1 adult; 6 Jun 1925 (coll. L. B. Woodruff)--1 adult; Torrington, 26 Jul 1924 (coll. C. A. Frost)--1 adult; Twin Lakes[ Salisbury] Twin Lakes, 11 Jul 1932 (coll. )--5 adults; Tolland Co., Mansfield, 8 Sep 1992 (coll. S. H. McKamey)--1 adult; Mansfield Depot, Williamant. R., 3 Jul 1995 (coll. Mike Thomas)--1 adult; Mansfield, Mans. Depot, E. side Willim., 2 Jun 1996 (coll. D.S.Sikes & P.Naskrecki)--1 adult; Tolland, gravel pit E of Weigold Rd, 19 Aug 1996 (coll. D. S. Sikes)--1 larva; Storrs, 12 May 1964 (coll. M. Miller)--1 adult; New London Co., Voluntown, Pachaug St Forest, 15 May 1994 (coll. Valerie Giles)--4 adults; Voluntown, Pachaug St. Frst, 23 Jun 1996 (coll. D. S. Sikes)--2 adults; Voluntown, Pachaug St. Fst nr Hodge Pon, 17 Apr 1985 (coll. Chris T. Maier)--1 adult; Middlesex Co., Essex, 9 Nov 1937 (coll. )--1 adult; Killingsworth, 31 Aug 1989 (coll. Les J. Mehrhoff)--1 adult; New Haven Co., Brandford - Landfill and pond, 7 Sep 1987 (coll. T. D. Schultz)--1 adult; 7 May 1988 (coll. T. D. Schultz)--1 adult; 3 mi NE Northford, Rt. 17, Mill Pond Tavern, 8 May 1988 (coll. T. D. Schultz)--1 adult; Wallingford, Rt. 5 opposite parking for Wharton Brook State Park, 24 May 1988 (coll. T. D. Schultz)--1 adult; Hamden, near Lake Wintergreen, 21 Apr 1987 (coll. Chris T. Maier)--1 adult; 22 Apr 1987 (coll. Chris T. Maier)--4 adults; Hamden, West Rock Ridge St. Pk, 15 Sep 1987 (coll. Chris T. Maier)--9 adults; Milford, Silver Sands SP, 14 Aug 1995 (coll. Bob Muller)--1 adult; West Haven, West River Park, 10 Aug 1995 (coll. R. J. Pupedis)--4 adults; West Rock State Park, 29 Mar 1987 (coll. D. J. Comboni)--1 adult; 10 May 1987 (coll. D. J. Comboni)--4 adults; . West Rock State Park, 23 Aug 1986 (coll. D. J. Comboni)--3 adults; 30 Aug 1986 (coll. D. J. Comboni)--8 adults; 7 Sep 1986 (coll. D. J. Comboni)--7 adults; N. Branford, 1-30 Sep 1919 (coll. )--1 adult; So. Meriden, 3 May 1914 (coll. H. Johnson)--2 adults; 15 Apr 1915 (coll. H. L. Johnson)--2 adults; 16 Apr 1915 (coll. H. Johnson)--3 adults; Fairfield Co., --1 adult; Trumbull, Pequonnock Valley, 2mi NW jct rts. 15 and 25, 2 Aug 1989 (coll. T. D. Schultz); Long Hill, Pequonnock Valley, 1 Jul 1989 (coll. D & H Comboni)--2 adults; Long Hill: Trumbull, 30 Apr 1989 (coll. D. J. Comboni)--1 adult; Long Hill: Trumbull, Old Mine Pk, 30 May 1992 (coll. D. J. Comboni)--1 adult; (coll. )--1 adult.

Collection events (n=40) of Cicindela duodecimguttata over time, 1850-1996. Data lumped into five-year intervals.