Tiger Beetles of Brazil

*Ctenostoma* (Neoprocephalus) are slender, metallic tiger beetles of the Neotropical canopy, creeping along live bark and branches after dark. Reaching around 14 mm, these nocturnal hunters belong to the remarkable comb-mouthed tribe Ctenostomini, whose larvae develop within burrows excavated in bark.

Key references:
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist 2. Klug, J.C.F. (1821) — original genus 3. Moravec, J. (2020) — Cicindelini and Ctenostomini treatment

*Odontocheila* Laporte de Castelnau, 1834 is the largest genus of subtribe Odontocheilina, with around 105 species distributed across Neotropical forests. These robust, 10–16 mm beetles are nocturnal hunters of forest floors and edges, recognisable by their distinctively toothed labrum — the origin of the genus name.

Key references:
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist 2. Laporte, F.L. de (1834) — original genus 3. Moravec, J. (2020) — Cicindelini Vol. 2

*Tetracha* Hope, 1838 is one of the largest genera in Megacephalini, with approximately 102 species prowling forest clearings and sandy or clay-loam substrates near water across the Americas. These robust, metallic beetles emerge after dark, hunting under moonlight on bare ground. Larvae develop in moist soil burrows, betraying their intimate dependence on waterside habitats.

Key references:
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist 2. Hope, F.W. (1838) — original genus 3. Pearson, D.L. et al. (2015) — Field Guide USA & Canada

*Brasiella* Rivalier, 1954 is a Neotropical genus of tiger beetles ranging across South America, inhabiting open, wet habitats on bare or sandy substrates. These small to medium beetles — as compact as 6 mm — are nocturnal hunters whose larvae develop in vertical burrows sunk into sand.

Key references:
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist 2. Rivalier, E. (1954) — original genus description 3. Moravec, J. (2020) — Cicindelini Vol. 2

*Oxycheila* Dejean, 1825 is a robust, metallic Neotropical tiger beetle genus of approximately 52 species, haunting moist riparian banks and humid forest floors across South America. Nocturnal pursuit hunters, adults shelter near clay-loam substrates where larvae excavate vertical burrows. Males bear strikingly elongated mandibles, a sexually dimorphic feature linked to copulatory grasping behavior.

Key references:
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist 2. Dejean, P.F.M.A. (1825) — original genus 3. Moravec, J. (2020) — Cicindelini Vol. 2

*Mesochila* is a small genus of ten metallic tiger beetles inhabiting the forests of the Neotropical region, from Central America south through the Amazon basin. These slender, cylindrical beetles are nocturnal hunters, stalking prey across bare clay-loam and sandy clay substrates on the forest floor. Their metallic coloration — ranging through bronze, green, and brown — provides striking camouflage amid the dappled light of Amazonian forest interiors.

Key references:
1. Wiesner, J. (2020) — checklist authority 2. Sumlin, W.D. (1979) — original genus description 3. Moravec, J. (2020) — Cicindelini Vol. 2 — definitive recent treatment