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

Cicindela tranquebarica - Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle

Compare with: Appalachian Tiger Beetle   Bronzed 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: Thirteen subspecies are currently recognized, with others proposed or identified in the past (Pearson et al., 2015). Only the nominate form exists east of the Great Plains.
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 is an upland species but that occupies a particularly wide range of substrates: Knisley and Schultz (1997) list "sand dunes, prairies, alkali flats, gravel pits, eroded slopes, dry sand banks of rivers, powerline cuts, sandy trails, borrow pits, and other disturbed areas." Our records reflect this wide variety of habitats used by this species in North Carolina.
Diet: Predacious, presumably feeding on a wide variety of small insects and other arthropods
Observation Methods: Adults are well camouflaged 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: G5T5 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 widespread and habitat-generalized species. Consequently, it is probably quite secure within North Carolina.

Photo Gallery for Cicindela tranquebarica - Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle

Recorded by: Sarah Toner
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Sarah Toner
Beaufort Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Max Ramey
Wilkes Co.
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Recorded by: Max Ramey
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: On substrate consisting of a mixture of sand and clay
Recorded by: Mark Shields
Richmond Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka
Bladen Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields
Hoke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields
Hoke Co.
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Recorded by: Morgan Freese
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips
Jackson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Ed Corey
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Beane
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Rob Van Epps
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Rob Van Epps
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: E. Corey
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: E. Corey
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: K. Long
Rockingham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
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