Beetles of North Carolina

Family (Alpha):
Scientific Name: Common Name:

View	CARABIDAE Members:	Members of Cicindela:	32 NC Records
Cicindela hirticollis - Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle

Compare with: Bronzed Tiger Beetle Twelve-spotted 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: Mark Shields

Taxonomy

Family: CARABIDAE	Subfamily: Cicindelinae	Subgenus: 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: Eleven subspecies have been described but may not be genetically distinct (Pearson et al., 2015). The nominate form is the only one found along the Southern Coastal Plain (Pearson et al., 2015).

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Evans (2014)	Online Resources: BugGuide iNaturalist	Technical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Knisley and Schultz (1997); Pearson et al. (2015)
Comments: Most individuals possess three complete maculations. However, variation in the thickness and/or completeness of these markings often occurs among individuals within a population, as illustrated by some of the images in the photo gallery below. Also, the tuft of white hairs on the side of the thorax, for which the species is named, may partially wear away over time because of abrasion by sand particles.

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: Most of our records come from beaches on barrier islands or other tidewater shorelines. Knisley and Schultz (1997) also list the shorelines of large rivers and lakes. In all these cases, wet sands appear to be the primary habitat, with few records coming from mudflats or other habitats composed of large amounts of organic material rather than sand (Knisley and Schultz, 1997). Larvae also burrow in wet sands but choose locations protected from wave action (Knisley and Schultz, 1997).

See also Habitat Account for General Tidewater Shorelines and Flats

Diet: Predacious, presumably feeding on a wide variety of small insects and other beach invertebrates

Observation Methods: This species is well-camouflaged against wet-sand substrates, but is often found in large numbers where movements of masses of individuals make them conspicuous (Knisley and Schultz, 1997).

Abundance/Frequency: locally common

Adult Phenology:

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status: [W3]

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5T4 [S2S3]

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: This species often co-occurs with Habroscelimorpha dorsalis and like that species appears to be declining due to barrier shoreline development and to trampling of larval habitat due to intensive recreational use of beaches (Knisley and Schultz, 1997). According to Pearson et al. (2015), a number of populations have become extirpated in New England and elsewhere connected to human alteration of its habitats. Since 2000, we have records for this species from only four sites, with only one site having more than one record during this time period. All but one of these sites, moreover, are located on barrier islands, which are all under threat due to sea level rise. Although more information is needed on its distribution, habitat use, and population trends within North Carolina, none of the currently known populations of this species should be considered secure.

Photo Gallery for Cicindela hirticollis - Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, M. Shields, Quinn, Sam, Austin Paul Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Max Ramey Dare Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Dare Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Dare Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn New Hanover Co. Comment: An individual with much reduced markings, more typical of the northern subspecies, C. h. rhodensis
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Carteret Co. Comment: An individual with thin and incomplete markings
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Pender Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Pender Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Pender Co. Comment: Maculations are much reduced in this individual	Recorded by: Mark Shields Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Dare Co. Comment: Note the atypical interrupted middle maculation	Recorded by: J. Brown Dare Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: M. Gosselin Dare Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Steve Hall Dare Co. Comment:

Cicindela hirticollis - Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle

Photo Gallery for Cicindela hirticollis - Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle