Beetles of North Carolina

Family (Alpha):
Scientific Name: Common Name:

View	CARABIDAE Members:	Members of Cicindela:	262 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: 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: 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 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 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: Marilyn Westphal and Nora Murdock Polk Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Alexander Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Caldwell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther Columbus Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther Columbus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Shields Watauga Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Nora Murdock Swain Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Nora Murdock Swain Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Nora Murdock Swain Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther Columbus Co. Comment:
	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. Comment:
	Recorded by: Whit Peterson Graham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: K. Sanford Gates Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg 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. Comment:	Recorded by: Kaitlyn Dunagan Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Scott Bolick Anson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Vin Stanton Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:	Recorded by: L. Purvis Guilford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeff Lewis Dare Co. Comment:	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. Comment:	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. Comment:	Recorded by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams Gates Co. Comment:	Recorded by: k nealson Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: L. Amos Vance Co. Comment:	Recorded by: J. Mickey Yadkin Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: M. Griffin Stokes Co. Comment:	Recorded by: J. Mickey Wilkes; P Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Steve Hall Montgomery Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jane Wyche Gates Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Salman Abdulali Washington Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Steve Hall Orange Co. Comment:

Cicindela sexguttata - Six-spotted Tiger Beetle

Photo Gallery for Cicindela sexguttata - Six-spotted Tiger Beetle