Subject: Beetles Matting?
Location: S.E. British Columbia Canada
April 15, 2014 8:14 pm
Observed these two beetles when looking for spring flowers. They were in a grass meadow, Douglas Fir forest at the headwaters of the Columbia River, Invermere, BC Canada. Date was April 13, 2014
Signature: Larry Halverson
Hi Larry,
These are mating Tiger Beetles in the subfamily Cicindelinae, probably in the genus Cicindela. We will continue to attempt a species identification, but as you can see from BugGuide, there are many similar looking species. Tiger Beetles are adept predators that run down their prey, though they are also capable of flight.
Thank you for your quick response. What a wonderful service you offer.
Larry
These are likely members of Cicindela purpurea Olivier, the Cow Path Tiger Beetle, probably from the the subspecies C. purpurea audubonii LeConte. This species’ range extends northwards into British Colombia and Alberta. Sources: Pearson, D. L., et al. 2006. A field guide to the tiger beetles of the United States and Canada. Oxford University Press, New York, New York .
Bugguide: http://bugguide.net/node/view/8994#range
Hi Austin,
Thanks so much for the identification. We would like nothing better than to be able to stay home all day and more thoroughly research all of the identification requests that we receive, however, we need to go to our day job in order to pay the bills. We will update the posting with a new subject line.
These are likely members of Cicindela purpurea Olivier, the Cow Path Tiger Beetle, probably from the the subspecies C. purpurea audubonii LeConte. This species’ range extends northwards into British Colombia and Alberta. Sources: Pearson, D. L., et al. 2006. A field guide to the tiger beetles of the United States and Canada. Oxford University Press, New York, New York .
Bugguide: http://bugguide.net/node/view/8994#range
I grew up in west Texas and we had several different color variations of beetles like these. I dont see them nearly as much anymore and was wondering why that might be. Just curious.
Without an image, we cannot say for certain.