Beetles of North Carolina
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View CARABIDAE Members:
Members of Cicindela:
21 NC Records

Cicindela duodecimguttata - Twelve-spotted Tiger Beetle

Compare with: Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle   Bronzed Tiger Beetle   Appalachian 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: John Petranka
Taxonomy
Family: CARABIDAE Subfamily: CicindelinaeSubgenus: Cicindela                                                             
Comments: One of 38 species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Pearson et al., 2015), 12 of which have been recorded in North Carolina
Species Status: No subspecies have been described, but there a number of different color and pattern morphs (Pearson et al., 2015)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Evans (2014)Online Resources: BugGuide, Wikipedia, GBIF   iNaturalistTechnical 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 associated with shoreline habitats, although our few records come mainly from along roads. According to Knisley and Schultz (1997), mud, sand, and silt bars along both slow-moving streams and ponds are the primary habitat. Larvae use the same habitats (Pearson et al., 2015), but Knisley and Schultz note that they also burrow into nearly vertical banks along streams.
See also Habitat Account for General Brownwater Shorelines
Diet: Predacious, presumably feeding primarily on a wide variety of small, riparian insects
Observation Methods: Adults are well camouflaged on their wet sand and silt habitats but are quite active during the day, when their movements make them easy to spot
Abundance/Frequency:
Adult Phenology:
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S3S4]
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 using essentially the same range of habitats as Cicindela repanda, this species is far less common and appears to have a much more restricted range within the state. The reasons for this scarcity are unknown, although possibly related to choice of larval habitats.

Photo Gallery for Cicindela duodecimguttata - Twelve-spotted Tiger Beetle

Recorded by: Mark Shields
Camden Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: E. Corey, SBW, FKW
Camden Co.
Comment: