Home Importance Ants of Nebraska Butterflies of Nebraska Carrion Beetles of Nebraska Tiger Beetles of Nebraska
 
Carrion Beetle Genera County Records
 
Genera Amblycheila Genera Cicindela Genera Tetracha
     
     
Crimson Salt Flat Tiger Beetle



 

 

 

Cicindela fulgida fulgida Say
Adult Length: 9 to 13 mm
Appearance: Adults are brilliant shiny red to shiny black with a fairly consistent maculation pattern. Rare individuals may have a strong greenish sheen on the elytral surface. Maculation consists of complete humeral and apical lunules and a complete middle band. The posthumeral mark is usually somewhat extended at an angle toward the posterior.
Similar Species: This species might be confused with C. tranquebarica, but it is consistently smaller and with a generally more well-developed middle band that is not upturned at the “knee” section. Most individuals of C. fulgida are much redder and otherwise shinier than those of C. tranquebarica.
Biology: This species is associated with saline habitats. It is often numerous on relatively moist salt flats, along moist salty streams, and in other moist saline areas.
Adult Life History: Adults emerge from the pupa in August and September and are active until middle and late September before overwintering. Activity resumes in April and peak numbers occur in late April and the first half of May. Numbers decline fairly rapidly by late May, and adults are scarce by early July. It is a spring fall species.
Larval Life History: Eggs are laid mostly in May. Most larvae reach the third instar by fall before overwintering and pupate the following summer. Larvae occur in moist saline areas among sparse vegetation or along the edges of denser vegetation.
Biogeography: Within Nebraska this species has been recorded from two counties in the vicinity of Lincoln, from one southwestern county, and from several counties in the panhandle. In North America it occurs from southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan to the western edge of Minnesota, northern Texas, northeastern Arizona, and eastern Montana. Seven subspecies have been described.