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 CarolinaSpecies Status: Five subspecies are currently recognized, with only the nominate species occurring in the East (Pearson et al., 2015).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: BugGuide , Wikipedia , GBIF 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: Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Cicindela purpurea is associated with open, montane, upland habitats with patches of bare ground. Those include natural openings in forests and mountain meadows, as well as powerlines, roadsides, and paths. Larvae dig shallow burrows in relatively hard-packed substrates (Pearson et al., 2015). Diet: Predacious, presumably feeding on a wide variety of small insects and other arthropodsObservation Methods: Easily flushed but often seeking refuge in grass or other herbaceous vegetation (Pearson et al., 2015)Abundance/Frequency: Adult Phenology:
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5T5 [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 preservesComments: We have few records for this species but its use of widespread, common, and in some cases human-created habitats suggests that it may be secure within the state.
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