Tiger Beetles of Central African Republic
Interactive field guide · Cicindelidae · Cicindelidae matrix v54
13
Species
0
Endemics ★
11
Genera
Jun
Peak season
Central African Republic holds 13 species of tiger beetle (Cicindelidae). 11 genera recorded. Dominant genera: Elliptica (2), Lophyra (2), Bennigsenium (1), Habrodera (1).
Habitats: open sandy (6) · coastal (3) · forest (2)
2
Arboreal
1
Nocturnal
11
Genera
Jun
Peak month
Iconic species of Central African Republic
Lophyra flavipennis
Yellow-winged Tiger Beetle
*Lophyra* (Spilodella) is a small Oriental subgenus of tiger beetles haunting open, wet sandy habitats under cover of darkness. These metallic, spot-patterned beetles measure 9–12 mm and are tied to b…
Iridescent
9–16 mm
13 species
What to expect: Peak activity in June. Dominant habitats: open sandy (6) · coastal (3) · forest (2). 2 arboreal species.
| Genus | Spp. | Traits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elliptica | 2 | forest | DIAGNOSIS — *Elliptica* Fairmaire, 1884 Body 10–18 mm, cylindrical, oval-shouldered; L:W ratio 2–3. Coloration metallic… |
| Lophyra | 2 | coastal Iridescent | DIAGNOSIS — *Lophyra* (Spilodella) Matalin & Cherkasov, 2004. Body 9–12 mm, cylindrical; metallic with pale spots; noctu… |
| Bennigsenium | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Bennigsenium* W.Horn, 1897 Body medium, 10–20 mm (key character ca. 15 mm), elongate, cylindrical; L:W rati… |
| Habrodera | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Habrodera* Motschulsky, 1862. Body 11–16 mm, elongate-cylindrical, dark and matte. Head wider than pronotum… |
| Megacephala | 1 | coastal Metallic | DIAGNOSIS — *Megacephala* Latreille, 1802. Body 15–25 mm; head markedly enlarged, broader than pronotum; color bright me… |
| Neochila | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Neochila* Basilewsky, 1953. Length 7.1–13 mm. Elongate, parallel-sided, depressed; black to bluish-green or… |
| Oxygonia | 1 | other | DIAGNOSIS — *Oxygonia* Mannerheim, 1837. Body 9–14 mm, ovate; L:W ratio 2–3. Coloration metallic with pale elytral spots… |
| Paraphysodeutera | 1 | other | DIAGNOSIS — *Paraphysodeutera* Moravec, 2002. Body 10–12 mm, oval, metallic. Fully winged. Labrum transverse. Eyes mediu… |
| Prothymidia | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Prothymidia* Rivalier, 1957. Body 10–16 mm, oval (L:W <2.0), fully winged. Coloration metallic. Eyes large,… |
| Ropaloteres | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Ropaloteres* Guérin-Méneville, 1849. Body 10–18 mm, cylindrical, elongate-cursorial. Coloration metallic (b… |
| Trichotaenia | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Trichotaenia* Rivalier, 1957. Body 10–18 mm, depressed/flattened (L:W 2–3); coloration dark, matte; fully w… |
Bennigsenium bodongi
Werner, 2001 · 10–20 mm
open sandy
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Calyptoglossa Cicindela
Elliptica flavovestita
Werner, 2001 · 10–18 mm
forest
Active January–December (year-round)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Elliptica junkeri
Werner, 2001 · 10–18 mm
forest
Active January–December (year-round)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Habrodera nilotica nilotica
Werner, 1999 · 11–16 mm
open sandy
Active March–July (peak Apr–Jun)
KwaZulu-Natal
cf. Myriochila Salpingophora Socotrana
Lophyra flavipennis
(Klug, 1832) · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Abroscelis Antennaria Apteroessa
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
Yalinga
cf. Abroscelis Antennaria Apteroessa
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
Neochila nigromarginilabris
Werner, 2001 · 8–12 mm
open sandy
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Abroscelis Antennaria Apteroessa
other
Active September–March (peak Oct–Dec)
cf. Brasiella Brzoskaicheila Cenothyla
other
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Beckerium Brasiella Cicindela
Prothymidia putzeysi
(Bates, 1892) · 10–16 mm
open sandy
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Ropaloteres feisthamelii
(Bates, 1878) · 10–18 mm
open sandy
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Trichotaenia africana
Cassola & Werner, 2000 · 10–18 mm
open sandy
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
| Taxon | Authority | Flight | Distribution | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennigsenium bodongi | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Elliptica flavovestita | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Elliptica junkeri | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Habrodera nilotica nilotica | Werner, 1999 | KwaZulu-Natal | ||
| Lophyra flavipennis | (Klug, 1832) | |||
| Lophyra senegalensis | (Dejean, 1826) | Yalinga | ||
| Megacephala denticollis tchadica | Werner, 2003 | |||
| Neochila nigromarginilabris | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Oxygonia vuillefroyi | (Bates, 1881) | |||
| Paraphysodeutera naviauxi | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Prothymidia putzeysi
= Cicindela sibyllae (Bates, 1892) [basionym]
|
(Bates, 1892) | |||
| Ropaloteres feisthamelii | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Trichotaenia africana | Cassola & Werner, 2000 |