Beetles of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name:
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View CARABIDAE Members:
Members of Cicindela:
265 NC Records

Cicindela sexguttata - Six-spotted Tiger Beetle

Compare with: Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle   Festive 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: 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 and DNA analysis indicates that populations are genetically homogeneous across its range (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 primarily an inhabitant of deciduous forests, most often observed on logs, trails, or other sunny locations. It is also observed in open habitats located adjacent to forests.
See also Habitat Account for General Hardwood Forests
Diet: Predacious, presumably feeding on a wide variety of small insects and other arthropods
Observation Methods: Regularly observed along trails running through forests, where its brilliant metallic green coloration and active behavior attract the attention of most humans, even those not accustomed to looking for insects
Abundance/Frequency: Common
Adult Phenology:
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [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: This is one of our most widely distributed, common, and frequently observed species. Its habitats are still common and widespread. Consequently, it appears to be quite secure within the state.

Photo Gallery for Cicindela sexguttata - Six-spotted Tiger Beetle

Recorded by: J. Mickey
Wilkes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Carol Tingley
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal and Nora Murdock
Polk Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields
Alexander Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields
Caldwell Co.
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Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Columbus Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Nora Murdock
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Nora Murdock
Swain Co.
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Recorded by: Nora Murdock
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Columbus Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Catawba Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields
Wilkes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields
Ashe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields
Alleghany Co.
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Recorded by: Whit Peterson
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Sanford
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka
Granville Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka
Alamance Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Kaitlyn Dunagan
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Anson Co.
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Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
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Recorded by: L. Purvis
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Lewis
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Randolph Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips
Jackson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey
Beaufort Co.
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Recorded by: Ed Corey
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Salman Abdulali
Pitt Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Beane
Alexander Co.
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Recorded by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: k nealson
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: L. Amos
Vance Co.
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Recorded by: J. Mickey
Yadkin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: M. Griffin
Stokes Co.
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Recorded by: J. Mickey
Wilkes; P Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Montgomery Co.
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Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Salman Abdulali
Washington Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: