TIGER BEETLES OF CONNECTICUT

Species Accounts

Cicindela formosa generosa, last recorded in CT in 1998, is known from a total of ca. 16-26 localities within the state. Of 50 specimens databased, the earliest collection record that I have found for this species in CT is 28 August 1897 and the latest is 17 June 1998. Cicindela formosa occupies blowouts and sand plains of dry -xeric, loose shifting sand, without water and that are sparsely vegetated, such as are found in pine barrens. Since 1975 only 5 populations have been documented: the habitat of one of these populations [Hartford Co. South Windsor: Junction of 5 & 291; 1990] was destroyed due to highway construction. The other four populations have yet to yield records of this species since the latest records. The subspecies C. formosa generosa is known from 27 states and provinces (ON, PQ, WI, MI, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, IL, IN, OH, PA, NJ, MD, DE, KY, WV, VA, TN, AR, LA, MS, IA, MO) (Boyd 1982) but this report lacks information on the current status of populations outside Connecticut.

Synonymies: Cicindela latecincta Gould 1834:42

Conservation status: Not federally listed. Listed in CT as "Threatened". Proposed Heritage ranking: S1

Diagnosis: Cicindela formosa is the largest of the CT fauna (<19 mm) and is easily differentiated from other Connecticut species by the bold, thick elytral markings. The elytra are purple or dark brown and the abdomen bears white setae laterally. The markings are rarely disconnected along the margin. Larvae: (after Hamilton 1925) U-shaped ridge on caudal part of frons with 3 or 4 distinct setae (not 2), head and pronotum light brown, (not metallic colored); basal segment of the galea with 4 stout setae on the mesal margin; inner hooks with 4 setae.

Biology: (from Hamilton 1925): The adults primarily eclose in April or May and oviposit in May or June in slightly shifting sandy soil. The young reach the last instar by late August or early September and close their burrows by early October. The larvae overwinter, feed during the following spring and pupate during June or July. Some of this generation will eclose as adults during that fall, others will overwinter as larvae and emerge the following spring. The adults die soon after mating and ovipositioning occur in the spring. However, collection event records in Connecticut indicate that adults are most commonly found in June (table 9), perhaps the adults emerge in late spring or early summer in Connecticut.

The larvae of this species differ dramatically from the other CT species in their burrow formation. Whereas most tiger beetle larvae construct circular holes that open vertically, C. formosa larvae dig a small pit and open their burrows into this pit horizontally. The sand near the opening is cemented stiff by the larvae. Thereby the larvae prevent the shifting sand from filling in the burrow and they catch insects that fall into the pit. The main portion of the burrow is from 12 to 20 inches deep and vertical except for the horizontal portion that occurs at about 2/3 of an inch from the surface.

Material examined: 50 specimens:

For detailed information on these specimens contact the Connecticut Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, 55 High St., Middletown, CT 06457, or the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

Collection events (n=28) of Cicindela formosa generosa over time, 1850-1998.Data lumped into five-year intervals.