Beetles of North Carolina

Family (Alpha):
Scientific Name: Common Name:

View	CARABIDAE Members:	Members of Tetracha:	62 NC Records
Tetracha carolina (Linnaeus 1767) - Carolina Metallic Tiger Beetle, Pan-American Big-headed Tiger Beetle

Compare with: Virginia Metallic Tiger Beetle, Virginia Big-headed Tiger Beetle
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: ID Tips follow Pearson et al., 2015

Photo: F. Williams, S. Williams

Taxonomy

Family: CARABIDAE	Subfamily: Cicindelinae	Subgenus: Tetracha	Synonym: Megacephala virgnica
Comments: One of 110 species in this genus that occur in the New World and one of only two species that have been recorded in North Carolina (Pearson et al., 2015). Members of this genus were previously included in Megacephala, which contained both New World and Old World species. The genus was split by Naviaux in 2007, with the New World species now treated as Tetracha (Pearson et al., 2015).
Species Status: Four subspecies have been described but only T. carolina carolina occurs north of Mexico (Pearson et al., 2015)

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Evans (2014)

Online Resources: BugGuide, Google, Wikipedia, GBIF, iNaturalist

Technical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Knisley and Schultz (1997); Pearson et al. (2015)

Distribution in North Carolina


County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.


Flight Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: This species is found mainly in low-lying areas, including the edges of rivers, lakes, ponds, and estuaries (Pearson et al., 2015). North Carolina records -- where habitats were identified -- come from waters-edge habitats but also from wet pine savannas and open fields in floodplains. They have also been observed in lawns, gardens, and roadways.

Diet: Predacious, but any preference for certain types of insects is unknown for either larvae or adults

Observation Methods: This species is nocturnal and can be spotted along roads and other open areas using flashlights. They appear to be reluctant to fly and instead scurry about erratically at least while within the beam of the flashlight.

Abundance/Frequency: Widespread and often common when found

Adult Phenology:

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5T5 [S5]

State Protection: As with other North Carolina insects, no state laws provide them any protection. Permits must be obtained, however, to collect them in State Parks and other nature preserves

Comments: Although not often seen due to their nocturnal activity period, this species appears to be widespread and occurs regularly within its broad range of habitat types. Consequently, it seems secure within the state.

Photo Gallery for Tetracha carolina - Carolina Metallic Tiger Beetle, Pan-American Big-headed Tiger Beetle
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dave McLain Cabarrus Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Dave McLain Cabarrus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Caleb Garnet Wake Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Caleb Garnet Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Andrew W. Jones Polk Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Andrew W. Jones Polk Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment:	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Pender Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Caleb Garner Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Caleb Garner Wake Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Paul C Hart United States Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P. Morales Sampson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Michael P. Morales Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P. Morales Cumberland Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Michael P. Morales Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Donald ZEPP Johnston Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Donald ZEPP Johnston Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Caleb Garner Wake Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Scott Bolick Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Scott Bolick Pender Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Scott Bolick Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Tom Howard Wake Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Morgan Freese New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Morgan Freese New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams Gates Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams Gates Co. Comment:	Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams Gates Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Beaufort Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Chris & Rachel Helms Columbus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Steve Hall Orange Co. Comment: