Tigers in Texas
Ross WintonInvertebrate BiologistNongame & Rare Species ProgramTexas Parks & Wildlife
Texas Master Naturalist Annual MeetingRockwall, Texas
October 18-20, 2019
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Tigers in Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife
MissionTo manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Nongame & Rare Species ProgramThe Nongame and Rare Species Programs focus is Texas' rich diversity of nongame animals, plants, and natural communities. Our biologists collect, evaluate, and synthesize significant amounts of data to better inform conservation decisions and formulate management practices. By taking a proactive approach, we work to prevent the need for future threatened and endangered species listings and to recover listed species.
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Tigers in TexasColeoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae
Predatory Ground BeetlesSight predatorsLarvae burrow and wait for prey
Identification:Sickle-shaped mandibles with teeth11-segmented antennaeEyes and head wider than the abdomenLong thin legsTunnel-building behavior of larvae
Very charismatic group that gains a great deal of attention from collectors
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Tigers in TexasCollecting Methods:
NetPitfall TrapDebris FlippingExtraction from nightly burrows“Fishing”
Observation Methods:Naked EyeBinocularsDigi-scoping
Know Habitat AssociationsAnticipating EmergenceGreat Guide Books
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter, Arizona State University
MorphologySegments of the body
Thorax characters
Elytral maculation
Setae
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter, Arizona State University
Life Cycle: 1-5 years, larvae to adult
Activity Period: spring, summer, fall
Notes:NocturnalFound on Sand DunesQuick to Fly or Flightless
Tiger Beetle
The “Giant” Tiger BeetlesAmblycheila
Life Cycle: Up to 5-year
Activity Period: Spring/Fall, Nocturnal
Notes:- Utilize Mammal Burrows- Largest of the Texas Cicindelines- Flightless- Do not come to lights
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
The “Giant” Tiger BeetlesAmblycheila
South Texas Giant Tiger BeetleAmblycheila hoversoni
Great Plains Giant Tiger BeetleAmblycheila cylindriformis
Plateau Giant Tiger BeetleAmblycheila picolominii
Amblycheila halffteri ?
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Source: Knisley et al. 2006
South Texas Giant Tiger Beetle
Great Plains Giant Tiger Beetle
Plateau Giant Tiger Beetle
The “Giant” Tiger BeetlesAmblycheila
The “Dromo” Tiger BeetlesCicindela (Dromochorus)
Photo: Dan Duran, D.P. Duran et al. 2019
Life Cycle: 2-year
Activity Period: Summer, Late in Day or Cloudy
Notes:- Often Flightless or Not Quick to Fly
The “Dromo” Tiger BeetlesCicindela (Dromochorus)
Loamy-ground Tiger BeetleDromochorus belfragei
Frosted Tiger BeetleDromochorus pruininus
Photo: Dan Duran, D.P. Duran et al. 2019
Cajun Tiger BeetleDromochorus pilatei
Velvet Tiger BeetleDromochorus velutinigrens
The “Dromo” Tiger BeetlesCicindela (Dromochorus)
Chaparral Tiger BeetleDromochorus chaparralensis
Gulf Prairie Tiger BeetleDromochorus welderensis
Juniper Grove Tiger BeetleDromochorus knisleyi
Pygmy Dromo Tiger BeetleDromochorus minimus
Photo: Dan Duran, D.P. Duran et al. 2019
Dromochorus belfragei
Dromochorus pruininus
Dromochorus pilatei
Dromochorus velutinigrens
Dromochorus chaparralensis
Dromochorus knisleyi
The “Dromo” Tiger BeetlesCicindela (Dromochorus)
Dromochorus welderensis
Dromochorus minimus
Source: Duran et al. 2019
The “Big-headed” Tiger BeetlesTetracha
Photo: Mike Quinn
Life Cycle: 3 to 4-year
Activity Period: Summer
Notes:- Flightless or Not Quick to Fly- Some species nocturnal- Some species come to lights
The “Big-headed” Tiger BeetlesTetracha
Pan-American Big-headed Tiger BeetleTetracha carolina
Upland Big-headed Tiger BeetleTetracha affinis
Photo: Mike Quinn
Virginia Big-headed Tiger BeetleTetracha virginica
Pan-American Big-headed Tiger Beetle
Upland Big-headed Tiger Beetle
Virginia Big-headed Tiger Beetle
The “Big-headed” Tiger BeetlesTetracha
Source: Knisley et al. 2006
The “Temperate” Tiger BeetlesCicindela
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Life Cycle: 3 to 4-year
Activity Period: Spring, Summer & Fall
Notes:- Typically Quick to Fly- Many species partition by soil type- Very popular with collectors- Some species with multiple subspecies
Big Sand Tiger BeetleCicindela formosa
Splendid Tiger Beetle
Cicindela splendida
Life Cycle: 2+ yearsActivity Period: Spring, FallNotes: F – sand associate, S- red clay soils on roads
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Six-spotted Tiger BeetleCicindela sexguttata
Bronzed Tiger BeetleCicindela repanda
Life Cycle: 2-yearActivity Period: Spring(s,r), Fall(r)Notes: S- Forest paths, R-Waters edge in sandy substrates.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Crimson SaltflatTiger BeetleCicindela fulgida
Twelve-spottedTiger Beetle
Cicindeladuodecimguttata
Life Cycle: 2+ yearsActivity Period: Spring, FallNotes: F – salt flats, D – silty & sandy soils near water
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter, Ken Allen
Life Cycle: 2-yearsActivity Period: Spring, FallNotes: Sandy soils in open and forest.
FestiveTiger Beetle
Cicindela s. scutellaris Cicindela s. flavoviridis Cicindela s. rugata
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter, Mike Quinn
Hairy-neckedTiger BeetleCicindela hirticollis
Cow PathTiger Beetle
Cicindela purpurea
Life Cycle: 2-3 yearsActivity Period: Spring, FallNotes: Sandy to sandy-clay soils. H-waters edge, P-open paths and trails
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
BeautifulTiger BeetleCicindela pulchra
Green ClaybankTiger Beetle
Cicindela denverensis
Life Cycle: 2-yearsActivity Period: Spring, FallNotes: D-grassy clay prairies, P-compact sandy soils
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
The “Tribon” Tiger BeetlesCicindela (Tribonia)
Life Cycle: 2 to 3-year
Activity Period: Spring & Fall
Notes:- Typically Quick to Fly- Many species partition by soil type- 5 species in the subgenus, 2 in Texas- Some species with multiple subspecies
Oblique-lined Tiger BeetleCicindela tranquebarica
Blowout Tiger Beetle
Cicindela lengi
Life Cycle: 2-yearsActivity Period: Spring, FallNotes: T-widespread, L-sandy soil in open areas
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
The “American” Tiger BeetlesCicindela (Cicindelidia)
Life Cycle: 2-year
Activity Period: Spring, Summer & Fall
Notes:- Typically Quick to Fly- Many species partition by soil type- Several species with red-brown to bright orange- Small eyes and often shorter legs- Several are only active in the summer
Life Cycle: 2-yearActivity Period: Spring, SUMMER & FallNotes: N-sandy soil in grass in summer at waters edge, W-clay at waters edge
Williston’sTiger BeetleCicindela willistoni
Black SkyTiger Beetle
Cicindela nigrocoerulea
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
*
Horn’sTiger BeetleCicindela hornii
Large GrasslandTiger Beetle
Cicindela obsoleta
Life Cycle: 2-3 yearsActivity Period: Summer, FallNotes: Gravel-loam to clay soils with salinity, hide under debris at mid-day
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
*
PuncturedTiger BeetleCicindela punctulata
Thin-linedTiger Beetle
Cicindela tenuisignata
Life Cycle: 2-yearActivity Period: SummerNotes: Hard packed sand, clay, loam near waters edge.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
LimestoneTiger BeetleCicindela politula
Cazier’sTiger Beetle
Cicindela cazieri
Life Cycle: 2-yearActivity Period: Summer, Fall Notes: P-Found on rock outcrops, Limestone scrub
?
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
*
Eastern Red-belliedTiger BeetleCicindela rufiventris
Western Red-belliedTiger Beetle
Cicindelasedecimpunctata
Life Cycle: 1-2 year cycleActivity Period: SummerNotes: Summer active and comes to lights, R-rocky outcrops, slow flyer. S-mudflats and playas
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter, Tom Murray
OcellatedTiger BeetleCicindela ocellata
WetsaltsTiger Beetle
Cicindela hemorrhagica
Life Cycle: 1-yearActivity Period: SummerNotes: Mud & alkali flats, ocean beaches
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Schaupp’sTiger BeetleCicindela schauppii
S-bandedTiger Beetle
Cicindela trifasciata
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearsActivity Period: SummerNotes: S – attracted to lights, Saline limestone at the edge of vegetation, T-coastal dunes and shore.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
The “Habro” Tiger BeetlesCicindela (Habroscelimorpha)
Life Cycle: 1 - 2 year
Activity Period: Summer
Notes:- Typically Slow to Fly but very fast runner- Tropical to sub-Tropical species- Often coastal or playa associated- Some attracted to lights
Cream-edgedTiger BeetleCicindela circumpicta
GlitteringTiger Beetle
Cicindela fulgoris
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearActivity Period: SummerNotes: Moist muddy salt flats. Attracted to lights.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
*
Eastern BeachTiger BeetleCicindela dorsalis
GulfshoreTiger Beetle
Cicindela pamphila
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearsActivity Period: SummerNotes: Attracted to lights. Found on coastal dunes and shorelines.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
SaltmarshTiger BeetleCicindela severa
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearsActivity Period: SummerNotes: Attracted to lights, quick to fly, moist mud or sand from coast to marshes. Sometimes escapes into fiddler crab holes.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
White-cloakedTiger BeetleCicindela (Eunota) togata
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearActivity Period: SummerNotes:Only species in the genus. Spine at the tip of the elytra. Thick white setae or hairs on the body. Attracted to lights and well adapted to hot conditions.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
*
Lime-headedTiger BeetleCicindela (Opilidia) chlorocephala
Life Cycle: 1-2 years?Activity Period: June - JulyNotes: Confined to beaches in far southern Texas in a single isolated population. Very fast runner that runs along the beach at the waters edge. Has not been detected in over 100 years.
Photo: Christopher C. Wirth, Smithsonian Institution
The “Round-thorax” Tiger Beetles
Cicindela (Cylindera)
Life Cycle: 1 to 2-year
Activity Period: Summer
Notes:- Small body size- Little to no hair on the thorax- Active only in the summer
White-stripedTiger BeetleCicindela lemniscata
Grass-runnerTiger Beetle
Cicindela debilis
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearsActivity Period: SummerNotes: Easy to mistake for large red harvester ants which are found in the same habitats. Not good flyers
?
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Swift Tiger BeetleCicindela celeripes
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearsActivity Period: Summer Notes: Flightless and runs like an ant at the bases of vegetation in a variety of soils. Rarely collected.
Photo: Charles Schurch Lewallen
*
The “Ellipsed-winged” Tiger Beetles
Cicindela (Ellipsoptera)
Life Cycle: 1 to 3-year
Activity Period: Spring through Fall
Notes:- Coastal species or at the waters edge - Very large eyes and long legs
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearsActivity Period: Spring - FallNotes: H- comes to lights and flies short distances, N-found on wet often alkali or saline soils.
White-stripedTiger BeetleCicindela hamata
Grass-runnerTiger Beetle
Cicindela nevadica
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
*
White-stripedTiger BeetleCicindela cuprascens
Grass-runnerTiger Beetle
Cicindela macra
Life Cycle: 1-2 yearsActivity Period: Spring -FallNotes: Normally flightless and attracted to lights. Sandy sparsely vegetated areas near water.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
White-stripedTiger BeetleCicindela sperata
Grass-runnerTiger Beetle
Cicindela marutha
Life Cycle: 2-3 yearActivity Period: SummerNotes: Muddy and sandy beaches near water. Often flightless and attracted to lights.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
White-stripedTiger BeetleCicindela lepida
Life Cycle: 2-3 yearsActivity Period: SummerNotes: Prefers dune habitat and is often found in swales. Larval burrows can reach 2-3m deep. Attracted to lights. Flies straight up and is caught by wind to evade predators.
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter
Call to ActionSubmit your observations (iNat & BugGuide)
- Statewide Distribution- Unique species and habitats- Really need observations of SGCN’s and other rare and declining species
Photos - Take Good Clear Photos from multiple angles- Make notes and take photos of Habitat
Submit to iNat or BugGuide to help us learn more about these unique Texas species.
References & Acknowledgements
Data:Pearson et al. 2006Duran et al. 2019Mike Quinn (TexasEnto)
Photos:Chris GrinterMike QuinnChris WirthDan DuranCharles Schurch LewallenTom MurrayKen Allen
Photo: Denver Museum of Nature & Science / Chris Grinter