Tiger Beetles of Kenya
Interactive field guide · Cicindelidae · Cicindelidae matrix v54
78
Species
1
Endemics ★
17
Genera
Apr
Peak season
Kenya holds 78 species of tiger beetle (Cicindelidae), including 1 country endemics ★. 17 genera recorded. Dominant genera: Lophyra (15), Dromica (12), Megacephala (12), Myriochila (11).
Habitats: coastal (46) · open sandy (25) · forest (5) · riverine (2)
12
Nocturnal
17
Genera
Apr
Peak month
Iconic species of Kenya
Lophyra wajirensis
Wajirensis 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
78 species
What to expect: Peak activity in April. Dominant habitats: coastal (46) · open sandy (25) · forest (5) · riverine (2).
| Genus | Spp. | Traits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lophyra | 15 | coastal Iridescent | DIAGNOSIS — *Lophyra* (Spilodella) Matalin & Cherkasov, 2004. Body 9–12 mm, cylindrical; metallic with pale spots; noctu… |
| Dromica | 12 | open sandy Aposematic | DIAGNOSIS — *Dromica* (Pseudodromica) Cassola, 2002. Body 8–18 mm, metallic, oval; labrum transverse; wings dimorphic; ♂… |
| Megacephala | 12 | coastal Metallic | DIAGNOSIS — *Megacephala* Latreille, 1802. Body 15–25 mm; head markedly enlarged, broader than pronotum; color bright me… |
| Myriochila | 11 | coastal | DIAGNOSIS — *Myriochila* Motschulsky, 1857. Body 8–14 mm, elongate, metallic; eyes large, prominent; labrum transverse; … |
| Elliptica | 5 | forest | DIAGNOSIS — *Elliptica* Fairmaire, 1884 Body 10–18 mm, cylindrical, oval-shouldered; L:W ratio 2–3. Coloration metallic… |
| Calomera | 4 | coastal Iridescent | DIAGNOSIS — *Calomera* Motschulsky, 1862. 8–18 mm; genae densely long-setose; sterna setose; elytra with whitish/ivory t… |
| Prothyma | 3 | coastal Iridescent | DIAGNOSIS — *Prothyma* (Pseudodistypsidera) W. Horn, 1934. Body 10–16 mm, metallic, cylindrical; fully winged; diurnal; … |
| Prothymidia | 3 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Prothymidia* Rivalier, 1957. Body 10–16 mm, oval (L:W <2.0), fully winged. Coloration metallic. Eyes large,… |
| Bennigsenium | 2 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Bennigsenium* W.Horn, 1897 Body medium, 10–20 mm (key character ca. 15 mm), elongate, cylindrical; L:W rati… |
| Chaetodera | 2 | riverine | DIAGNOSIS — *Chaetodera* Jeannel, 1946. Body 12–20 mm, metallic with pale spots, cylindrical (L:W ratio 2–3). Head inclu… |
| Neochila | 2 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Neochila* Basilewsky, 1953. Length 7.1–13 mm. Elongate, parallel-sided, depressed; black to bluish-green or… |
| Pseudodromica | 2 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Pseudodromica* Cassola, 2002. Body large, 8–30 mm; shape oval; L:W ratio 2–3. Coloration strongly metallic.… |
| Cratohaerea | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Cratohaerea* Chaudoir, 1850. Body small, 10–16 mm, elongate-cylindrical; length-to-width ratio 2–3. Colorat… |
| Cylindera | 1 | coastal Iridescent | DIAGNOSIS — *Cylindera* (Eugrapha) Rivalier, 1950. Body 7–14 mm, elongate-cylindrical, metallic. Nocturnal; bare sandy s… |
| Euryarthron | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Euryarthron* Guérin-Méneville, 1849. Body 10–18 mm, elongate-cylindrical; L:W ratio 2–3. Coloration metalli… |
| Habrodera | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Habrodera* Motschulsky, 1862. Body 11–16 mm, elongate-cylindrical, dark and matte. Head wider than pronotum… |
| Pronyssiformia | 1 | open sandy | DIAGNOSIS — *Pronyssiformia* W.Horn, 1929. Body 9–15 mm, depressed; dorsum metallic. Head wider than pronotum; eyes medi… |
open sandy
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Calyptoglossa Cicindela
Bennigsenium ismenioides
Werner, 2001 · 10–20 mm
open sandy
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Calyptoglossa Cicindela
Calomera alboguttata alboguttata
(Herbst, 1806) · 8–18 mm
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Myriochila Salpingophora Socotrana
Calomera aulica aulica
(Dejean, 1825) · 8–18 mm
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
S Pelopones, Baluchistan, Sind, Gujarat, Cacheu, Oio, North Eastern
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Calomera fimbriata imperatrix
(Bates, 1878) · 8–18 mm
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Cephalota Cicindela Cosmodela
Chaetodera regalis regalis
(Bates, 1892) · 12–20 mm
riverine
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
riverine
Active April–September (peak May–Aug)
cf. Abroscelis Antennaria Archidela
Cratohaerea chrysopyga
(Bates, 1878) · 10–16 mm
open sandy
Active January–December (year-round)
cf. Pogonostoma
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
North Eastern
cf. Apterodela Calochroa Calomera
Dromica batesi
W. Horn, 1900 · 8–30 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Rift Valley, Nairobi, East, Mara, Arusha, Tabora, Iringa, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Mw
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Dromica erlangeri deflexicollis
W. Horn, 1932 · 8–30 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Gemu Gofa, Marsabit, Eastern, Rift Valley
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Dromica erlangeri erlangeri
W. Horn, 1904 · 8–30 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Gemu Gofa, Marsabit, Eastern, Rift Valley
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Dromica hildebrandti
W. Horn, 1903 · 8–30 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Rift Valley
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Coast
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Dromica nobilitata interruptemaculata
W. Horn, 1923 · 8–30 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Coast, Eastern, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Ruvuma
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Dromica nobilitata nobilitata
Gerstacker, 1867 · 8–30 mm
open sandy★ endemic
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Coast, Eastern, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Ruvuma
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Dromica nobilitata reducta
W. Horn, 1903 · 8–30 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Coast
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Haut-Zaire, Katanga, Nairobi, Rift Valley, Eastern, Coast, Kigoma, Tabora, Dodom
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Dromica schaumi seticollis
Cassola, 2002 · 8–30 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Haut-Zaire, Katanga, Nairobi, Rift Valley, Eastern, Coast, Kigoma, Tabora, Dodom
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Coast
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Elliptica deyrollei deyrollei
(Bates, 1878) · 10–18 mm
forest
Active January–December (year-round)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Elliptica deyrollei pseudomechowi
Werner, 2001 · 10–18 mm
forest
Active January–December (year-round)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Elliptica kenyana interior
Werner, 2001 · 10–18 mm
forest
Active January–December (year-round)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Elliptica kenyana kenyana
Werner, 2001 · 10–18 mm
forest
Active January–December (year-round)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
forest
Active January–December (year-round)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Euryarthron bouvieri
(Bates, 1878) · 10–18 mm
open sandy
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
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
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Lophyra canaliculata
(Bates, 1878) · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Venda, Grootfontein, East
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Lophyra latelimbata
(Bates, 1878) · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
North and Eastern
cf. Abroscelis Antennaria Apteroessa
Lophyra luxerii
(Bates, 1878) · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Lophyra pseudodistans
Werner, 2000 · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
Magadi
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Lophyra pseudoneglecta
Werner, 2000 · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
Nuyumba, Lake Jipe, Lake Magadi
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Lophyra roberti
(Bates, 1878) · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Lophyra rufidorsalis
Werner, 2000 · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
Machakos
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Lophyra saraliensis saraliensis
(Bates, 1878) · 9–16 mm
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Calomera Cephalota Cicindela
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
Yalinga
cf. Abroscelis Antennaria Apteroessa
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Abroscelis Antennaria Apteroessa
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
Wajir
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Megacephala asperata asperata
(Erichson, 1843) · 14–35 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
East Caprivi
Megacephala asperata breviformis
Werner, 2003 · 14–35 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
East Caprivi
Megacephala asperata kaswabilengae
Werner, 2003 · 14–35 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
East Caprivi
Megacephala asperata overlaeti
Werner, 2003 · 14–35 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
East Caprivi
Megacephala asperata seydeli
Werner, 2003 · 14–35 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
East Caprivi
Megacephala asperata upembana
Werner, 2003 · 14–35 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
East Caprivi
Megacephala laevicollis mandli
Werner, 2003 · 14–35 mm
coastal
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Phaeoxantha Pseudotetracha Tetracha
Myriochila basilewskyi
Werner, 1999 · 9–15 mm
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Aug)
Borana, Sidamo
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active March–July (peak Apr–Jun)
cf. Salpingophora Socotrana
Myriochila hauseri
Werner, 1999 · 9–15 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
Katanga
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
Katanga
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Aug)
cf. Apterodela Calochroa Calomera
Myriochila parasemicincta
Werner, 1999 · 9–15 mm
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Myriochila respiciens respiciens
Werner, 1999 · 9–15 mm
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Aug)
cf. Calochroa Calomera Cosmodela
Myriochila turkana
Werner, 1999 · 9–15 mm
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Aug)
cf. Apterodela Calochroa Calomera
Neochila glabrilabris
Werner, 2001 · 8–12 mm
open sandy
Active June–October (peak Jul–Aug)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Calomera Cephalota Cicindela
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
Fujian, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan
cf. Abroscelis Antennaria Apteroessa
Prothyma bottegoi
(Bates, 1892) · 10–18 mm
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Prothyma methneri methneri
W. Horn, 1920 · 10–18 mm
coastal
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
North
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
open sandy
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Prothymidia angusticollis angusticollis
(Bates, 1878) · 10–16 mm
open sandy
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Prothymidia angusticollis itombwensis
Werner, 1999 · 10–16 mm
open sandy
Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Pseudodromica neavei neavei
W. Horn, 1913 · 7–13 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
Pseudodromica setosula
Serrano & Cape, 2020 · 7–13 mm
open sandy
Active April–September (peak May–Jul)
cf. Ambalia Bennigsenium Calyptoglossa
| Taxon | Authority | Flight | Distribution | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennigsenium horni | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Bennigsenium ismenioides | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Calomera alboguttata alboguttata
= Cicindela alboguttata viridinitida (Bates, 1874) [basionym]
|
(Herbst, 1806) | |||
| Calomera aulica aulica
= Cicindela aulica cupraria (Bates, 1874) [basionym]
|
(Dejean, 1825) | S Pelopones | ||
| Calomera fimbriata fimbriata
= Cicindela fimbriata imperatrix (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
(Klug, 1832) | |||
| Calomera fimbriata imperatrix | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Chaetodera regalis regalis | (Bates, 1892) | |||
| Chaetodera regalis veneranda
= Cicindela vigintiguttata (Bates, 1892) [basionym]
|
Moravec, 2007 | |||
| Cratohaerea chrysopyga
= Cicindela bifasciatum (Klug, 1834) [basionym]
|
(Bates, 1878) | |||
| Cylindera inopinata
= Cicindela inscripta (Bates, 1867) [basionym]
|
(Bates, 1867) | North Eastern | ||
| Dromica batesi | W. Horn, 1900 | Rift Valley | ||
| Dromica erlangeri deflexicollis | W. Horn, 1932 | Gemu Gofa | ||
| Dromica erlangeri erlangeri | W. Horn, 1904 | Gemu Gofa | ||
| Dromica hildebrandti | W. Horn, 1903 | Rift Valley | ||
| Dromica kenyana | Werner, 1993 | Coast | ||
| Dromica nobilitata interruptemaculata | W. Horn, 1923 | Coast | ||
| Dromica nobilitata nobilitata | Gerstacker, 1867 | Coast ★ | ||
| Dromica nobilitata reducta | W. Horn, 1903 | |||
| Dromica paulae | Cassola, 2002 | Coast | ||
| Dromica schaumi schaumi | Cassola, 2002 | Haut-Zaire | ||
| Dromica schaumi seticollis | Cassola, 2002 | Haut-Zaire | ||
| Dromica taruensis | Cassola, 2002 | Coast | ||
| Elliptica deyrollei deyrollei | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Elliptica deyrollei pseudomechowi | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Elliptica kenyana interior | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Elliptica kenyana kenyana | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Elliptica lugubris | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Euryarthron bouvieri | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Habrodera nilotica nilotica | Werner, 1999 | KwaZulu-Natal | ||
| Lophyra boreodilatata
= Cicindela brevicollis brevicollis (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
Werner, 2000 | |||
| Lophyra canaliculata
= Cicindela flavipennis (Klug, 1832) [basionym]
|
(Bates, 1878) | |||
| Lophyra clathrata discoidea | Werner, 2000 | |||
| Lophyra differens | (Bates, 1878) | Limpopo | ||
| Lophyra infuscatula
= Cicindela luxerii (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
Werner, 2000 | |||
| Lophyra latelimbata
= Cicindela anataria (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
(Bates, 1878) | North and Eastern | ||
| Lophyra luxerii | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Lophyra pseudodistans | Werner, 2000 | Magadi | ||
| Lophyra pseudoneglecta | Werner, 2000 | Nuyumba | ||
| Lophyra roberti | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Lophyra rufidorsalis | Werner, 2000 | Machakos | ||
| Lophyra saraliensis saraliensis | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Lophyra senegalensis | (Dejean, 1826) | Yalinga | ||
| Lophyra somalia
= Cicindela catena catena (Fabricius, 1801) [basionym]
|
Werner, 2000 | |||
| Lophyra wajirensis
= Cicindela abbreviata (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
Werner, 2000 | Wajir | ||
| Megacephala asperata asperata | (Erichson, 1843) | East Caprivi | ||
| Megacephala asperata breviformis | Werner, 2003 | East Caprivi | ||
| Megacephala asperata kaswabilengae | Werner, 2003 | East Caprivi | ||
| Megacephala asperata overlaeti | Werner, 2003 | East Caprivi | ||
| Megacephala asperata seydeli | Werner, 2003 | East Caprivi | ||
| Megacephala asperata upembana | Werner, 2003 | East Caprivi | ||
| Megacephala laevicollis mandli | Werner, 2003 | |||
| Megacephala morsii bequaerti | Werner, 2003 | |||
| Megacephala morsii morsii | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Megacephala regalis babaulti | Werner, 2003 | |||
| Megacephala regalis excelsa | Werner, 2003 | |||
| Megacephala regalis naivashae | Werner, 2003 | |||
| Myriochila basilewskyi | Werner, 1999 | Borana | ||
| Myriochila deprimozi
= Cicindela dorsata (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
Werner, 1999 | |||
| Myriochila hauseri | Werner, 1999 | |||
| Myriochila jordaniana aethiopica
= Cicindela jordaniana jordaniana (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
Werner, 1999 | Katanga | ||
| Myriochila jordaniana jordaniana
= Cicindela jucunda (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
(Bates, 1878) | Katanga | ||
| Myriochila nudopectoralis
= Cicindela orientalis (Bates, 1874) [basionym]
|
Werner, 1999 | |||
| Myriochila parasemicincta | Werner, 1999 | |||
| Myriochila respiciens respiciens | Werner, 1999 | |||
| Myriochila respiciens septentrionalis | Werner, 1999 | |||
| Myriochila sericeolongicornis | Werner, 1999 | |||
| Myriochila turkana | Werner, 1999 | |||
| Neochila glabrilabris | Werner, 2001 | |||
| Neochila upangwana
= Cicindela leucosticta leucosticta (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
Werner, 2001 | |||
| Pronyssiformia excoffieri
= Cicindela annamica (Bates, 1892) [basionym]
|
(Bates, 1892) | Fujian | ||
| Prothyma bottegoi | (Bates, 1892) | |||
| Prothyma confusa | (Bates, 1892) | |||
| Prothyma methneri methneri | W. Horn, 1920 | North | ||
| Prothymidia angusticollis abyssiniensis
= Cicindela angusticollis angusticollis (Bates, 1878) [basionym]
|
Werner, 1999 | |||
| Prothymidia angusticollis angusticollis | (Bates, 1878) | |||
| Prothymidia angusticollis itombwensis
= Cicindela foveicollis (Bates, 1892) [basionym]
|
Werner, 1999 | |||
| Pseudodromica neavei neavei | W. Horn, 1913 | |||
| Pseudodromica setosula | Serrano & Cape, 2020 |